Parable (5/24)

Discussion in 'Free Thoughts' started by Lykan, May 24, 2002.

  1. Lykan Golden Sparkler Registered Senior Member

    Messages:
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    Toys

    A child had arranged on the polished floor its toys, neatly and with care. The drum, the bugles, the cannons, the soldiers, and an officer with much gold -- undoubtedly a field-marshal -- the long train with its polished engine, a tiny airplane, a big automobile, these were on one side.

    On the other, a doll with curly hair, dressed in the latest fashion, its bare knees showing, black polished shoes with silk stockings. A little further away, men in long coats and top hats. A bag with a string to bind them all.

    The child had gone.

    Then up sprang a man in long coat, with his hat in hand: "I represent God, and all of you listen. I have discovered Heaven and Hell. All who obey go to Heaven and to the Paradise of Gods, but those who disobey to Hell and to great sorrows. I know who is fit and worthy of Heaven, I alone can give spiritual distinctions and spiritual titles, I alone can make a man happy or unhappy, I alone can introduce God to you, I alone know the path to Him, I am the priest of God."

    "I am the protector, the ruler and the dispenser of life, I, with my friends the merchants, decide to wage wars, to kill and to slaughter, to protect you, my friends, from your enemies. Our country is above all. Woe to all who do not kill, who do not wear uniform, who are unpatriotic -- which I decide. God is on our side, He waves the only flag -- our flag." roared the man with the sword and many ribbons.

    Then a large fat man spoke quietly: "You two may say what you please, I hold the monies. I am the dispenser of all things, of temporal power, of cruelty and kindness, of progress and evolution, without me nothing shall be decided. I am a man of great wealth, thy wealth shall be the only God, I have finished."

    Then the man whom nobody noticed, spoke: "I can destroy all your Gods, your theories and your wealth, without me you can do nothing. You cannot talk to me of God when I am hungry, feed me and I will listen to your Gods. You cannot make me into cannon fodder. Pay me and excite me and I shall fight. You are rich because of me, I toil for you, suffer for you, go hungry for you and die for you, I am your food and your comfort, your love and your destroyer, I am going to strip you of all these, now I strike."

    Then the lady with bare knees -- "I am laughing because each of you thinks you are the most important. Glorying in your own importance, where would you all be without me? Still in that Heaven or Hell of which you spoke, O friend with the long coat. I am your sister, your mother, your wife and your love. I am on the stage of your bestial amusement, I bear children -- the agony of it -- for your pleasure, I dress showing just enough for your pleasure, I paint and make a fool of myself for your pleasure, I covet your glances and long for your love, I desire children without you, I seek freedom in spite of you, I struggle to be free of your desires, to show my equality, I do things that astonish you, I shall usurp all your places, your honors, your glories. You worship me, you desecrate me. I am a woman but your master."

    Then all began to talk, advancing this complicated theory and that complicated theory, this solution and that solution, class against class, wealth against poverty, hungry against the well-fed. A roar and utter chaos.

    The child came back, gathered up its toys, knocking down one or two in its hurry. Then it went out, laughing.

    -- J. Krishnamurti
     

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