Dear Ones,

Yesterday I inadvertently came across a beautiful story that had been sitting in my computer for over ten years. I knew it was there somewhere as I enjoyed it from the very moment I read it.

It is the story of a camel and a mouse. One of the stories of Rumi.

What do these two animals have in common?

And why would they come together?

These are legitimate questions, but wait until you read the story and realize what is going on.

It is a story which made me reflect on our “rightful place” in society, or in the world.

As a human being, I mean.

Are we meant to listen and absorb the wisdom of others?

Are we meant to teach and enlighten?

With wordless words?

Or is it a mixture of both?

Or is it something else?

Happy reading dear Ones!

See you on Thursday at 3pm New York time.

THE MOUSE AND THE CAMEL

A mouse caught hold of a camel’s lead rope
in his two forelegs and walked off with it,
imitating the camel drivers.

The camel went along,
letting the mouse feel heroic.

“Enjoy yourself,” he thought.

“I have something to teach you, presently.”

They came to the edge of a great river.
The mouse was dumbfounded.

“What are you waiting for?
Step forward into the river. You are my leader.
Don’t stop here.”

”I’m afraid of being drowned.”

The camel walked into the water. “It’s only
just above the knee.”

“Your knee! Your knee
is a hundred times over my head!”

Well, maybe you shouldn’t
be leading a camel. Stay with those like yourself.
A mouse has nothing really to say to a camel.”

“Would you help me get across?”

“Get up on my hump. I am made to take hundreds like you across.”

You are not a prophet, but go humbly on the way of the prophets and you can arrive where they are. Don’t try to steer the boat.

Don’t open a shop by yourself. Listen. Keep silent. You are not God’s mouthpiece. Try to be an ear, and if you do speak, ask for explanations.