The Sage and His Wife
Once upon a time, there lived a sage on the banks of a river. He and his wife did not have any children. One day, while the sage was praying in the middle of the river, an eagle happened to pass by and dropped a female mouse into the sage’s hands.
The Transformation
The sage, upon finding the mouse in his hands, took it home to his wife. They decided to convert the mouse into a young baby girl. The sage and his wife began to take care of the girl child and brought her up as their daughter. The child grew day by day into a beautiful maiden. At the age of sixteen, the sage decided to find a match for her.
The Search for a Suitable Groom
The Sun God: The sage and his wife thought that the Sun God would be an ideal match for their daughter. So the sage prayed for the Sun God to appear. When he did, the sage asked him to marry his daughter. But the daughter said, “Sorry! I cannot marry the Sun God because he is very hot and I will be reduced to ashes in his heat and light.”
The Lord of the Clouds: The sage then asked the Sun God to suggest a possible groom. The Sun God suggested the Lord of the Clouds, who could easily stop the rays of the sun. The sage prayed for the Lord of the Clouds, and when he appeared, the sage took him to his daughter. But she refused, saying, “I do not want to marry a person as dark as him. Moreover, I am afraid of the thunder he produces.”
The Lord of the Wind: The Lord of the Clouds then suggested the Lord of the Wind, who could easily blow him away. The sage prayed for the Lord of the Wind, and when he appeared, the sage took him to his daughter. She rejected him too, saying, “I cannot marry the wind god who is always on the move.”
The Lord of the Mountain: Dejected, the sage asked the Wind God for a suggestion. The Wind God suggested the Lord of the Mountain, who was rock solid and could stop the wind easily. The sage prayed for the Lord of the Mountain, and when he appeared, the sage took him to his daughter. She rejected him as well, saying, “He is too cold-hearted for me to marry. I want someone softer but stronger.”
The Mouse: Finally, the Lord of the Mountain suggested a mouse, as the mouse is soft and yet can easily make holes in the mountain. This time, the daughter was happy and agreed to marry the mouse. The sage then realized, “Look at what destiny had to offer you. You started as a mouse and were destined to marry a mouse in the end. So be it.” He then converted her back to a she-mouse and got her married to a mouse.
Story Moral: Destiny Cannot Be Changed
Reflection on the Story
The Inescapability of Destiny:
- The story illustrates the concept that destiny cannot be changed. Despite the sage’s efforts to find a suitable groom from various powerful beings, the daughter ultimately returned to her original form and married a mouse, as was her destiny.
Acceptance of One’s True Nature:
- The daughter’s journey reflects the importance of accepting one’s true nature. Despite being transformed into a human, her true nature as a mouse determined her eventual fate.
The Wisdom of the Sage:
- The sage’s actions demonstrate wisdom and acceptance. He sought the best for his daughter but ultimately acknowledged the power of destiny.
Lessons to Be Learned
- Destiny’s Power:
- Destiny has a powerful influence on our lives, and no matter how much we try to change it, it often prevails.
- Accepting True Nature:
- Embracing and accepting our true nature can lead to fulfillment and happiness, rather than constantly striving to be something we are not.
- Parental Love and Care:
- The sage and his wife’s care for the girl, despite knowing her origin, showcases unconditional love and devotion.
- The Futility of Resistance:
- Resisting or denying our inherent nature or destiny can lead to unnecessary struggles. Acceptance can bring peace and resolution.
Conclusion
The story of the sage, the mouse, and destiny teaches us the importance of accepting our true nature and the power of destiny. It reminds us that while we may strive for change and seek different paths, our inherent nature and destiny often guide us back to where we belong. Through the sage’s wisdom and the daughter’s journey, we learn to embrace who we are and recognize the inescapable influence of destiny in our lives.
