It was one of those regular early mornings. I started meditation as I generally do and some thoughts start making way for more thoughts. They too start to dwindle and as my mind becomes quieter, from the void of nowhere a stray wisp of a thought floats up. Now I cannot pin it down but I seem to like the thought and let it linger. Soon it begins to take shape and I cook myself up a story . . .
A grandfathers tale
A young man in transit from boyhood to adulthood visits his grandfather after a long while and they start chatting. The old man makes some coffee and they sit at the window watching the setting orange globe in the distance. They do not have much in common but the old man’s earthy wisdom and easy talk soon begins to grip the boy’s interest.
The topic turns to girls and suddenly the old man says: “I know two very lovely girls. One is extremely attractive and has a great charm which all find irresistible.”
The boy perks up. Then unsuccessfully tries to hide his excitement.
“The other is less attractive,” the old man continues, “but she has a host of other wonderful qualities.” Then suddenly he says “would you like to date one of them?”
The boy flushes and looks attentively at his twiddling toes through his floaters.
“I’ll tell you more about them” Grandpa continues and the boy looks up expectantly.
“The attractive one can make anyone very happy but she is a bit flighty and flippant while the other one is more stable and studious. Whom would you prefer to meet?”
The young lad turns red at this unexpected discussion of girls with his grandfather while the old man is obviously enjoying the experience.
“I seem to have aroused your interest, my young friend” the grandfather chuckles while the boy slowly shakes his head with an embarrassed half grin.
“I’ll tell you more about them” he continues, “The simple one is amazingly intelligent and once you get to know her she is a joy to be with. From what I know of her nature, once you befriend her, she’ll be your friend for life!”
“You seem to know these girls well” the boy musters up courage to ask.
“Oh yes. I’ve got to know them quite well by now. With all their pluses and minuses”.
The old man knowingly pauses, sips his coffee and pensively stares at the sunset. After a fidgety wait the boy whispers “So?”
“So what?” grins Grandpa. “Oh, the girls. What else?” he muses. “She is very creative and always comes up with an answer to almost every problem.”
“Who?”
“The smart one of course.”
“And the attractive one?”
The old man looks at his grandson and smiles knowingly “I know where your interest lies, young man. This girl you call attractive, some even find gorgeous and many can’t take their eyes off. But she has some negatives to counter that”.
After one more slurp at the coffee he continues “I’ve known her to play hard to get sometimes. She can just look through you and some find it unnerving. She’s also so moody she will strike up a friendship with some real crazy characters, even shady ones. I just don’t think she has it in her to be faithful to anyone. She is too flippant and unpredictable.”
The boy visibly wilts in disappointment.
The old man laughs. “Don’t look so glum. I know a way to get her interested in you if you want.”
“Oh come on Grandpa…” the boy says “I’m not really interested.”
“No, no, you should be. I’ve known guys have their chests swell up proudly when she walks beside them. It’s a great feeling to have such a beauty on your arm and have the whole world turn round to see you together. You attract everyone’s awe and respect.”
“Yeah grandpa but if she is so gorgeous she can be enticed away from you or even she could leave you in the lurch anytime. You yourself said she was, what was it – flippant.”
“True, but she is also exhilarating to be with while she is with you.”
Doubt creases the boy’s forehead at his wise grandpa’s opinion. After a pregnant pause and more coffee he can’t resist. “What else?’ he asks the old man.
“Well, she is like most normal women, but not quite. She can be like your shadow. The more you run behind her, the more she will evade you. Stop and walk the other way and she is sure to follow you.”
“Cool, Grandpa.”
“What?”
“Oh, nothing.”
“There is a bit more. She also has another feminine streak. She and her intelligent friend are very close, but a touch of jealousy always creeps in if you shower attention on the smart friend.”
“And the smart one? Is she also the jealous type?”
“No, she is the opposite. She generally doesn’t give countenance to those who run after her pretty friend.”
“Wow, she’s real cool!”
“Huh?”
“Tell me Grandpa, how do you know them so well?”
“I’ve got to know them over the years….”
“And what are their names?”
“The attractive one whom everyone runs after is Lakshmi. Her other friend is Saraswati”
My life has truly proven to me that as I follow the Indian goddess of Knowledge Saraswati, I keep getting envious glances and even considerable attention from the goddess of Wealth, Lakshmi.
Subscribe to CYT and
receive a FREE copy of
Volumes 1 & 2 of
The Best of CYT
Hi Kushrow,
Good stuff, I like most I’m sure, was expecting real woman.
But I like how it turned out, if it were up to me and I had to only choose one.. it would definitely be knowledge
parker lee recently posted..Social Network- Is CEO of Facebook Mark Zuckerberg Really An Asshole
Good post. I like the metaphor, it’s an interesting new way to look at wealth and knowledge. Thanks for sharing this.
One of my clients, who has participated in my Prosperity Classes, shared the gist of your story with me a few months ago. She learned it from listening to Deepak Chopra. Thanks for the wonderful Re-Minder. I clearly need to spend more time invoking Saraswati! Have a beautiful and Prosperous day. Enchanted Empress Blessings, Robert Alvarez.
A delightful story! True wisdom is timeless and wealth impermanent. I’m drawn to the goddess of knowledge.
Sandra Lee recently posted..The true meaning of Zen Hint- it’s not a habit
Nice and interesting story! I’ve enjoyed reading it today’s morning. That was great! Thanks for sharing, Kushrow!
Roman Soluk recently posted..8 Stress Reduction Techniques for Office Workers
Wow, Kushrow…. That was a truly captivating story.
Pursuing our passion and following our inner-guidance is the only true way to prosperity. I’ve pursued both “goddesses” and can attest that the pursuit of wisdom and knowledge is infinitely rewarding.
Thanks Rob, for seconding my opinion. Personal experience over the decades has taught me this lesson.
I don’t think we need to make a choice between knowledge and wealth, in fact the two can very often be interdependent of one another.
Steven H recently posted..Keep Track Of Your Values
Thats a really great story, had me clued from start to finish
WEEE compliance recently posted..4 October 2010- BIS reveals new WEEE Advisory structure
Hey Steven!
Wow, very cool article, I really enjoyed reading it.
I can totally relate to the two stereotypes of women. I do indeed find the more attractive girls to be the ones I want, but I know that often the are indeed ‘flippant’ and not the kind of girl I want to grow old with. It’s very true that when you chase them they get bored, but if you don’t seem to care or go through any ridiculous effort to please them, them become obsessed with you.
The intelligent kind of girl, those are fun, but if they are physically not very attractive, it’s very hard for them to keep my interest in them just by being smart. It’s strange how that works.
I want a gorgeous girl, but maybe unconventionally gorgeous and down to earth, with the personality of a fat girl
Hope you are well!
Diggy
Diggy recently posted..Why Not Spending Money Cost Me A Fortune
Very Interesting and entirely true in life. The part where the goddess snuck in I still have to entirely test it.
Application of knowledge does bring in wealth. Thank you for bringing this beautiful story to us.
that’s neat
i like how metaphors and analogies were used to deliver the idea
I remember reading Dale Carnegie many years ago where he says the best way to get a message across is through a metaphor or story. One of the best story tellers of all time was the young peniless philosopher who gave sermons on the Mount.
I agree, good story, well written.!I like it.
But somehow all these eat pray love associations keep coming to my mind – but thats just me I guess…
Haha that was hilarious because I genuinely thought the story was about two real girls and that’s been my experience of some girls in the past too! Great story though!
Amit Sodha – The Power Of Choice recently posted..5 Radical Things You Can Do Right Now To Change Your Life
I love India and her magic. The story of Saraswati and Lakshmi is surely magical. Personally, I agree with the idea if that if you seek knowledge first, in the sense of knowledge of your own true Self — all else is added. Including that for which we all strive — an abundance of authentic happiness overflowing in our lives.
Thanks Khushrow. All the very best from someone who enjoyed every one of 9 visits he made to India earlier in life.
Christopher Foster recently posted..Love is an “equal opportunity employer”
Delighted to know you love my beautiful country. I’d love to meet you Christopher, on your 10th trip here. Let me know when you plan it.
Wait…if I’m understanding the overall drift of the story, then it doesn’t matter which goddess the young man chooses – as long as he loves her with devotion.
If he chooses Saraswati, then he gains continual attention and companionship from Lakshmi. And if he chooses Lakshmi for the life and pleasure she offers, then he will never be satisfied with an unrequited love, and he will naturally seek out Saraswati, because nobody who finds happiness in their wealth can do so without the wisdom to both attain and enjoy it.
So if he has sincere love for either goddess, then he will win both.
Joseph Jin recently posted..A Key to Immortality
I was convinced that these were real women. Hee hee. Nonetheless I love the story. I, too, find that life is more rewarding when you don’t chase wealth or give all your attention to what glitters.
Nea | Self Improvement Saga recently posted..Seem Smarter Than Those Around You
Hi Kushrow, it’s brilliant to bring out the message by telling an interesting story. I especially like the ending – the more knowledge you pursue, the more wealth will follow you. Similar to ‘do what you love and money will follow’. Nice~ thanks for sharing.
Love that ending, not at all what I was expecting (which is probably in the definition of a great story!)
I’d love to see someone say ‘no, I’m just after the wealth…..’ I’m probably in the wrong place for that but you never know:)
The old saying about knowledge is power, rings true with me – I like power – and often this leads to waelth….win, win.
Hello Mr. Khushrow
I loved to read this. I am a personal development enthusiast, however it was a bit disappointing to see your website still waiving the under construction flag..
Please get it done and start writing on a regular basis. I would love to recommend your blog to all my readers and friends once it’s up..
thanks
Thanks Varun, for appreciating the article. You are very right – my website is completely neglected. You see, after being in service for a lifetime, I am now retired and even made my wife give up her job so we could together enjoy life at our own pace. I guess we have done that long enough now. Thanks for waking me up from my slumber. I intend to take your advice (and of so many others like you who have been pushing me) and get cracking on it!
Love, Light & Happiness to you, buddy.