The Tale of Salt and Water

Once upon a time, a young boy approached an elderly master and expressed his frustrations with life. The old master carefully listened to the young boy and gave him some salt.

The youngster was lost. The young boy pondered whether this enchanted salt would erase all his past sufferings.

The master then instructed the young boy to consume a glass of water containing a handful of salt. The young boy followed the master’s lead.

“How did it taste?” inquired the master with interest. As he spits out the salty water, the young boy exclaimed, “Disgusting, not good at all.”

The response of the young boy made the master giggle. The young boy was then asked to keep the same salt in the nearby lake. The young boy tossed salt into the lake as the two walked to the lake nearby.

“Drink the lake’s water now,” the master advised.

The young boy took a sip of the lake’s water without hesitation. “What is it like?” the master asked. The thirsty young boy thoroughly enjoyed the lake’s cool water.

“It is flawless,” the young boy responded.

“I can’t taste any salt. I yearned for a single drop of water because I was so dehydrated.”

After that, the master sat down next to the troubled youngster, grabbed his hand, and said, “Life’s pain is like pure salt. It stays the same, but the container we put it in determines how much we taste or feel. In this way, you can extend your faculties when you are in torment.”

“Empathy and compassion can grow your heart. Quit being glass and take a stab at resembling a lake. If you do this, the problems in your life won’t cause you as much pain or depression.”

Moral of The Tale of Salt and Water

Life’s pain is inevitable, but our perception and attitude towards it determine the amount of suffering we experience. Instead of being like a fragile glass, we should strive to be like a vast and expansive lake, developing empathy, compassion, and a broader perspective to endure and overcome our struggles.