Sergey Valerich
The parable of good and bad deeds
The secret of the rain is revealed.
Grandfather settled himself comfortably in an armchair near the fireplace and continued his instructive speech, while the children listened with bated breath.
– By doing bad deeds and actions at the fair of life, we add even more evil to these bricks, filling them with new impurities. And then we carry them with us, building our house of life from them, – Grandpa began to explain, – but we are souls, heavenly creatures, and by nature, we are good and therefore, we detest evil. The magical rain and wind in our fairy-tale world, just like us heavenly creatures, also do not like any impurity and all that is bad. And seeing this on the walls of our houses and on our streets, they break down all that is bad and wash away all this impurity, sending it far away underground. And after the rain, our good heavenly sun shines brightly and rejoices in the cleanliness and absence of any impurity and evil.
– Well, now I understand why my house became leaky after every rain, – Oscar said, surprised but happy, – I did so many bad things at the fair and brought them in bricks to my house of life. Of course, they needed to be washed out of my house, I won't tolerate evil in my home! Rain, rain, thank you for this! – Oscar exclaimed joyfully, raising his hands to the sky.
– So, it turns out, – began Mickey, – that after the rain, those who did good deeds continue to live happily in their strong and warm house of life, while those souls who did bad deeds start all over again, or patch up the holes in their flimsy house of life. And so, it goes on and on, until they understand what deeds they can do at the fair of life, and which ones to avoid and not do… – wisely concluded Mickey.
– Exactly, Mickey, that's right. And then, the rain washes away this impurity from the bricks underground, deeper and out of sight, – continued Grandpa, but he was interrupted by Oscar.
– Hooray! I figured it out! – exclaimed Oscar, – in the rainwater that collects through the pipes underground in the snake cave, there's impurity and evil from the destroyed bricks. They collect them after the rain and make their own bricks from them! And then they pay us with these bricks for bad deeds, and after the rain, everything returns to them in the cave. Those sneaky snakes! They tempt us with quick building of the house of life, and we ourselves are happy to be tempted! – excitedly concluded Oscar.
– Indeed, Oscar, you are right, – said the grandfather, – and over time we become more and more accustomed to quick results, even if they are temporary. And we can't stop because we can always quickly patch up holes or rebuild a destroyed house! And this illusion of wealth and success does not allow us to embark on the right path of good deeds and build an eternal, reliable house of life. And we rush towards bad things, but end up spending even more time in our lives instead of resting and giving each other joy, all because of our impatience.
The most important law at the fair of life.
Friends pondered and didn't know what to say. But it was not in their nature to be sad. They needed to come up with something urgently and find a formula for a happy and joyful life, even if the snakes would interfere by offering to do bad things and deeds.
– Well, what can we do now if we can't drive away the snakes? – asked Oscar, looking hopefully at his grandfather.
– It's simple, Oscar, just don't do bad things and deeds, but do good ones, – the grandfather said with a smile, – And your house of life will be strong and warm.
– But how? Snakes will mix their deeds with good ones, so how can we distinguish good deeds from bad ones? I don't know how to tell them apart, for me all deeds are the same. I don't want to keep patching up holes in my own house all the time! What should we do? – said Oscar.
– A good question, grandpa replied, – but before I answer it, let me ask you a question in return: would you like to experience the things you do to others on the fair of life, on yourself?
– Some things yes, and some things no, – Oscar grinned, – I don't want to be deceived, made fun of, or fight over petty things. I want people to help me in my troubles and hardships, and to make peace with me!
– Then why, Oscar, do you do to others what you don't want done to yourself, in your deeds and actions on the fair of life? – Grandpa asked sternly.
– I don't know, – Oscar murmured shamefully… – I just want to quickly build my house of life and show off to my friends. I don't realize that it's not me who experiences the bad consequences of my actions, and I don't think that I shouldn't do it.
– I don't blame you, Oscar, – Grandpa continued, – unfortunately, experience comes with time, but time and bad deeds cannot be undone. However, our wise ancestors long ago found the main law of the fair of life, and it sounds like this:
«Do unto others only what you wish done unto yourself».
–Interesting law, I like it, – said Mickey with a smile.
– This law can also be stated differently, – continued grandfather, – «Do not do unto others what you do not wish done unto yourself». It's important for you, my children, to understand it and remember it in both forms, as the meaning is the same.
– So, from this rule, it follows that we should only do good deeds? We only want good things for ourselves and not bad! – exclaimed Oscar in surprise.
– Yes, that's correct, – agreed grandfather, – but also remember something important. After doing a good deed for someone else, don't expect them to do the same for you in return. They may not have the time or ability to do so. And sometimes, even we ourselves may forget to respond with kindness or get caught up in the busyness of life. But by setting a good example, it will stay in their memory and bring kindness back into our magical world, returning to all of us with happiness and love.
– Do unto others only what you would have done unto you, – said Mickey with a smile.
– Well done, Mickey, – replied Grandpa, – this law is the most important one at the fair of life, and if you adhere to it in choosing your actions and deeds, then the bricks of your life's house will be as strong as stone and hold warmth and comfort for all eternity. Oscar, you yourself said that you only desire good things for yourself. By doing good deeds at the fair of life, you receive good in return – strong and durable bricks from Sunny Street for your life's little home, – Grandpa wisely spoke.
How to distinguish bad deeds from good ones?
Oscar and Mickey were very happy with the new interesting knowledge that helped them look at the meaning of actions and deeds in a new way, but they still had questions, and their heartfelt conversation with Grandpa continued.
– I understand, – Oscar said joyfully, – when I come to the fair of life, every action I want to take, I should first try it on myself. Do I want the same thing done to me? And if yes, then do the action or deed and receive good and sturdy bricks for it. My house will be strong, and no rain can destroy it. And if I don't want that action done to me – then don't do it. And so, we can distinguish between good and bad actions, and snakes won't be able to deceive us and slip in their rotten brick, right, Grandpa?
– Yes, my children, that's right, – said the satisfied grandfather, continuing, – for example, do you want to be deceived? No, then it's a bad action, and don't take it and don't deceive anyone. Do you want to be called names and insulted – no, then that's also a bad action, and don't do it, even if you really want to. And it doesn't matter who's on the other side of the action – a friend, a mother, or a kitten. You'll still get a bad brick for a bad deed! Even if you break a regular tree that did nothing to you and can't replace yourself, you'll still get a rotten brick from the snakes. That's the fair of life, my little ones – the deed you do, the brick you get.
– Well, well! – exclaimed Oscar joyfully and surprised, – and why didn't I know about this before! And «stealing a painting and giving it to a friend» is a bad action? But I'll make my friend happy!
– Put yourself in the shoes of the person whose painting was stolen, Oscar – would they feel bad? Indeed, they would, – said Grandpa, – now imagine you're in your friend's position when they find out the painting was stolen – wouldn't they feel bad and awkward? Of course, they would. And you would also feel bad when everything comes to light… that's a triple bad deed. That's how easily we realize that it's a bad action, by simply putting ourselves in other people's shoes and applying the rule of «do not do to others what you do not wish done to yourself». And there's no need to wonder if the theft will be uncovered or not – the bad deed is done, and you've received a rotten brick as a result! And even in a good barn, you can't hide from the rain that falls from heaven.
– Grandfather, and for what and how, can you still use the rule «do to others what you want to yourself»? Mickey asked.
– It's only half the job to determine what action is proposed for you in the fair of life, – replied Grandpa, – It's good if you make the right choice, but it's far more important to do the right thing well! And to do that, apply our rule in this way – «do unto others AS you would have them do unto you»!
– This means, – Mickey continued the conversation, – if I took the task «help a friend weed his garden» at the fair of life, should I do it as if it were my own garden? Is that right, Grandpa?
– Yes, Mickey, that's right. Imagine that it's your own garden and do it in such a way that the result pleases you too! Help and weed all the weeds very carefully, so that it becomes the most beautiful garden!
– With such an approach, it will be a doubly good deed! And they'll probably give us more good bricks, – Oscar wisely concluded.
– But the most important thing is not to forget that it's someone else's little garden! – Mickey joked with a laugh.
And laughing, they all laughed together at Mickey's joke, all together, and then decided to stretch a little, relax and think about what was said.
In my grandfather's wonderful garden.
The kids were glad to hear what they heard, but they were thinking seriously! Therefore, Grandpa decided to cheer up and entertain the kids after a long instructive conversation.
– Kids, let's fly to my wonderful garden, I'll tell you the story of how I created it and see a lot of interesting things!
And all three of us, our fabulous souls flew to the big and beautiful grandfather's garden. On one side it was surrounded by a forest with majestic pines and beautiful birches. And on the other side of the garden, there was a clear blue lake, with a beautiful rocky bottom and a shore of the purest white sand. In the garden itself there were many fruit trees and beautiful and fragrant flowerbeds with magnificent flowers. Mickey and Oscar adored Grandpa's garden and loved to fly in it, have fun and splash in the clear lake.
– Wonderful garden, Grandpa! I really like it, and I'll make myself one too! – Mickey said enthusiastically, circling around the fragrant and useful juniper.
– Of course, we will, and I will help you, – Oscar picked up and picked a couple of ripe apples from his grandfather's favorite apple tree.
– Everything will work out for you, my children, and I will also help in any way I can – grandpa offered his help to Mickey and enjoying the beautiful flowers and the smell of roses, flew deep into the garden.
– Grandpa, tell me how you created such a beautiful garden, you probably have a talent! Mickey asked.
– I don't know, kids, whether I had a talent for beauty or gardening, but I remember for sure that I flew around my house in an empty field and didn't even know how and where apples and flowers come from, – grandfather laughed and continued, – but I definitely understood that I wanted a beautiful garden, and how I had no idea how to create it at all!
– Yes, grandfather, I'm just the same, every time after a rain or a hurricane, I circle around my ruins of the house of life, and I don't understand how to build it reliable! Oscar laughed.
– So, after asking the elders for advice, I started taking deeds and deeds about the garden and flower beds at the life fair. «To help my grandmother water flowers and trees», «weeding flower beds», «planting a tree» and many other interesting things I found at the fair on this topic, and took up their implementation, hoping to learn how to do everything myself and create my own magnificent garden.
– Did the snakes bother you, Grandpa? – Oscar asked.
– Even then I understood how to distinguish a good thing from a bad one and did not take cases like «trample the garden», «break a branch taking out an apple», «cheat that I watered the flowers, and fly away to play with friends myself»… I also saw all these bad deeds mixed up with good deeds and tried not to do them, as far as I had enough experience.
– Grandpa, what should I do if I realize that my action was bad, but I've already done it? – asked Oscar.
– Well, not always do we have time to think about our actions. Sometimes we act impulsively or hurry somewhere. It happens that we understand the consequences only when we see holes in our life's house or feel cold and dampness inside. But if we have done something wrong and then realized it, no matter how much time has passed, we should try to make it right. We should apologize for what we did, discuss it, make amends if we caused any losses, find a compromise, and try not to do it again, – replied the grandpa.
– And I didn't think about the garden near the house before, – said Mickey, – but when I accidentally took cases about the garden at the life fair, I liked it, and I got carried away, and now I often take them, and at the same time it helps me with my small but beautiful garden.
– Yes, Mickey, it happens that we do something, for example, at the request of our elders, and over time we get carried away and it becomes our hobby or life's work, but sometimes not, – grandpa replied and continued, – and so year after year, I learned a lot by doing things and deeds on the fair about the garden. Even when I opened my shop, I also started selling garden-themed cases and this helped me create my own magnificent garden. And now I often fly to the fair and do something interesting, and then I fly to my garden and repeat. And my garden is getting better and better every day.
Suddenly Oscar stopped, and looking down, asked Grandpa:
– Grandpa, what if there are no good deeds or actions at the fair? What should I do then? I can't just sit idle, and the hole in the house is letting in cold air, – Oscar asked.
Grandpa looked at Oscar mysteriously, and seeing his excitement, asked with a smile:
– And why did such a question arise?
– Well, Grandpa, answer my question first, please, and I'll tell you everything! Oscar said evasively.
– OK, Oscar, – said Grandpa and continued, – yes, there is not always time to think about your action. Sometimes we take on bad things in a hurry or hurry somewhere. It happens that out of anger and in a desire for revenge. And we dismiss the main law, and do not observe «do not do to another what you do not want to yourself», because we think that we will not get anything bad for it. But we realize the harm of our act only when we see holes in our house of life and freeze in it from cold and dampness. But if something bad has been done, but then an understanding of what happened came, and no matter how much time has passed, you need to go back and apologize for what you did. To discuss, to make amends, to compensate for the losses, if any, to find a compromise and not to do so anymore.
– OK, – Oscar replied and continued, – you can't hide anything from you, Grandpa, I accidentally broke a branch when I was picking apples from your favorite apple tree. I'm sorry, I won't do it again! Oscar said, looking down.
– It's okay, Oscar, it happens. The main thing is that you realized what you did wrong and apologized. And he did not hide what he had done, fearing punishment. An apology and an admission of guilt can exclude even the thought of punishing you! And we will heal the apple tree, and it will still give us many, many apples! Grandpa replied with a smile.
– Thank you, Grandpa, – Oscar said, hugging him, and together with Mickey and Grandpa they continued to enjoy the charm of Grandpa's garden.
High up in the blue sky, the magical radiant sun shone brightly. Many beautiful birds of paradise sang and flew from tree to tree. And even a beautiful peacock, proudly flew in front of the fascinated gazes of the kids, developing its beautiful, multi-faceted and multicolored tail! Everything was great and well maintained.
Having flown in plenty and gathered a basket full of apples, fruits and some flowers, they flew to a small house-bathhouse with a veranda near the lake. Grandpa stayed to cook dinner, and Mickey and Oscar flew to the lake. Having splashed and played enough in a clean and warm lake, having warmed up and dried off in the sun, our children flew back to the veranda to their grandfather, to the smell of something very tasty. Grandpa was already waiting for them there with dinner and fruit for dessert, with apples baked in the oven. Hungry after bathing, the children quickly settled down at the table and began to have a delicious dinner.
After thanking Grandpa for his delicious dinner and having eaten enough, Mickey and Oscar lay down on a soft sofa next to the fireplace. Oscar did not like idle lounging and flew to melt the bathhouse and bring firewood to the fireplace, but soon he suddenly returned with a question to his grandfather:
– Grandpa, what if there are no good deeds and deeds at the fair? Over. What should I do? I can't sit around doing nothing, and even if the hole in the house blows cold," Oscar asked, sensing that grandpa would not like his question, but not knowing the answer to it, he still took a chance.
– It's good that you, Oscar, can't sit around doing nothing, – Grandpa began approvingly and continued, – but, first of all, in my memory there has never been such a thing that there were no good things at the fair, we just don't bother with the desire to do them, and don't seem to notice them.
– And I don't remember this, – Mickey interrupted Grandpa and continued, – out, the actions «smile at passers-by» or «don't argue» always lie, but no one takes it, they probably cost cheap, – Mickey said thoughtfully and continued listening to grandpa.