HOW MANY FLOWERS DO WE TRAMPLE

(thoughtful story) By Valentino Del Mazza,Fables and the Wisdom of Life

A mother tucked in the coverlets of the cradle, picked up her pitcher and said to her husband, "I am going out to fetch water from the river. Take care that the mongoose* does no harm to the child." The father paid no attention, knowing that the little animal was trustworthy.

Suddenly a black serpent slid out of his hole and glided toward the cradle. The mongoose bristled to the attack, fought long and furiously, and finally killed the horrid reptile. Then with his jowls still dripping with the serpent's blood, he ran to the river as if to bear the glad news to the mother.

But when the woman saw the blood-smeared creature she became frenzied and cried out, "You have killed the child!" In furious ire she struck the little thing with her pitcher and killed him with the blow. Then she ran breathlessly to the house -- and found the child serenely sleeping. Then the mother was overcome with remorse for having killed the very creature who had saved the life of her child.

• How many flowers do we trample when we tread without looking?
  
• How many souls do we wound without taking the trouble to reflect first?
  
• How much joy do we prevent others and ourselves to enjoy because we cast as evil something which is actually a positive act and a gesture of goodwill.?
  

It is a great mistake to get back to those who seem to have done us harm without finding out first what happened really. Often, it brings sad consequences.

[ *Mongoose - a small, ferret-like mammal which fearlessly attacks, and kills venomous snakes; especially, the Indian mongoose] (JM)

Shared by Joe Gatuslao