THE CORN FARMER
The beauty of this planet today lies in the goodness that is found in every little corner even if you aren’t really looking for it. Beautiful tales remind us gently of beautiful people doing beautiful deeds in their little places on this beautiful earth.
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There was a town that boasted of the state’s best corn farmer. Alex was known in the entire state for producing the best quality corn year after year. “Undoubtedly, he must have the best seeds if Alex has maintained the bar every year,” people whispered amongst themselves at the state fair when they hoped there would be a different winner.
Fellow competitors and buyers and the rest of the people at the fair would be amazed at Alex’s streak of accomplishment. No one dared to ask him the secret of his success; just who would be foolish to lose his No. 1 position as the best corn farmer in the state.
But what was stranger was that Alex was a kind person who was always willing to help his neighbour farmers; he was indeed the most popular farmer for being the most generous person. He didn’t function as an offish, arrogant, selfish farmer even if he could boast of such continued success.
A reporter had come to attend the annual state fair one year when he hoped to find a new winner in the best corn grower in the state category. To no one’s surprise, it was Alex yet again.
“Sir, it is about time you told us what keeps you right up there when it comes to your top quality corn?” asked this reporter.
Alex beamed before he said rather humbly, “It lies in the fact that I share my seed corn with my neighbours!”
“What? You aren’t kidding, are you, Sir?”
Bhagavan Baba says, “All the problems of the world today are due to selfishness. People are solely interested in the welfare of themselves and their families; the rest of the world is not of their concern. It should be realised that the welfare of the individual is related to the welfare of society, the nation and the world. Sadly, selfishness and narrow outlook are more prevalent among the educated than among the villagers.” |
“Not at all and why would I? I’m sure you knew cross pollination takes place because of which the wind helps my good quality ripening corn spread across the fields to my neighbours. Can you imagine what it would be like if the same wind brought poor quality corn from the field of my neighbours to my field? Wouldn’t my hard work be an utter waste of time and money? What would be the result? An entire town of substandard corn!
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“The seed corns that I share with all my neighbours helps all of us benefit from one another whilst I retain my best quality corn. Sharing can have magical effects, friend! I’m sure you have learnt something new today?” The reporter didn’t expect this revelation for an answer.
Alex continued, “You don’t become successful by living like an island. You reach out, share, help, support, and it all comes back manifold.”
If any one of us has been carrying the thought that one’s success comes as a result of an isolated effort, we have got it slightly wrong. When we reach the top, we often forget how so many people – our family and neighbours to society in general – have knowingly or unknowingly contributed to our achievement whether we are aware of it or not. It is society which helps us in so many ways – small and big – to realise our dreams.
However, more often than not, many accomplished individuals love to live in a cocoon; they think they are absolutely self-made and therefore have no obligation or responsibility towards anyone, especially to the larger community. This in fact is at the root of all problems tormenting modern society.
If we lead a life with constant awareness that we are what we are because somebody somewhere has sacrificed something for us, we would learn to be humble and take every opportunity that comes our way to fill another life with a little more happiness. And this in turn would fill our lives with joy. We are never the loser, definitely. It is a win-win scenario, always.. |
Bhagavan Baba says, “All the problems of the world today are due to selfishness. People are solely interested in the welfare of themselves and their families; the rest of the world is not of their concern. It should be realised that the welfare of the individual is related to the welfare of society, the nation and the world. Sadly, selfishness and narrow outlook are more prevalent among the educated than among the villagers.”
Therefore, if we lead a life with this constant awareness that we are what we are because somebody somewhere has sacrificed something for us, we would learn to be humble and take every opportunity that comes our way to fill another life with a little more happiness. And this in turn would fill our lives with joy. We are never the loser, definitely. It is a win-win scenario, always.
Illustrations: Ms. Lyn Kriegler Elliott, New Zealand
- Heart2Heart Team
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- Heart2Heart Team
