A
cosmic god had a horse. The horse was beautiful and also it had many good
qualities. But it wanted to be more perfect in every way. It especially wanted
to become beauty unparalleled.
One day
the horse said to the cosmic god, “0 Lord, you have given me beauty. You have
given me other good qualities. I am so grateful to you. But how I wish you
could make me more beautiful. I would be extremely, extremely grateful if you
could make me more beautiful.”
The
cosmic god said, “I am more than ready to make you more beautiful. Tell me in
what way you want to be changed.”
The
horse said, “It seems to me that I am not well proportioned. My neck is too
short. If you can make my neck a little longer, my upper body will be
infinitely more beautiful. And if you can make my legs much longer and thinner,
then I will look infinitely more beautiful in my lower body. Make me walk
comfortably in sand also. My tail is not that beautiful.”
The
cosmic god said, “Amen!” Then immediately he made a camel appear in place of
the horse. The horse was so disheartened that it started to cry, “0 Lord, I
wanted to become more beautiful. In what way is this kind of outer form more
beautiful?”
The
cosmic god said, “This is exactly what you asked for. You have become a camel.”
The
horse cried, “Oh no, I do not want to become a camel I wish to remain a horse.
As a horse, everybody appreciated my good qualities. Nobody will appreciate me
as a camel.”
The
cosmic god said, “Never try to achieve or receive more than I have given you.
If you want to lead a desire-life, then at every moment you will want more and
more. But you have no idea what the outcome will be. If you cry for a longer
neck, thicker tail, better hoof for walking in sand and long legs, this is what
will happen. Each thing in my creation has its own good qualities. The camel is
not as beautiful as you are, but it carries heavy loads and has a tremendous
sense of responsibility.
Among
us also there are some very agile personalities who would like to compare themselves
with others and feel sorry that they have not been blessed with what others are
having though they have a comfortable peaceful life. There is no limit for
greediness.
The
Sanskrit version
– courtesy Sanskrit Bhodhini, Samskruthapracharini sabha,
Chittoor
