Patch Parables ~ The Parable of the Holy Man *DELUXE*

There was once a small village within a forest of trees. Word started to spread among the people that there was a wise holy man who lived in a small house at the top of the mountain.

One man truly wanted to visit the holy man, to ask him questions and get advice on his own life problems. He set out on a long and difficult journey to visit the man. He crossed through forests, mountains, and rivers to seek him out.

Once he was there, he knocked on the door and waited eagerly. The door swung open, and he was greeted by an old servant. He told the servant he traveled all the way there to meet the wise holy man. The servant simply smiled at the man and led him inside the house.

As they walked through the house, the man looked around curiously, waiting to see where he would meet the holy man. Before he knew it, the servant opened up the back door and led him outside.

Confused, the man turned to the servant and told him again, he wanted to see the holy man. “You already have.” The old man replied. “Everyone that you meet in your life, even if they appear plain, I want you to see each of them as a wise and holy man. If you do this, whatever problem you brought here today, will be solved.” The man bowed in respect to his new understanding.

This parable teaches us the lesson of “don’t judge a book by its cover.” You never know who is who, who has suffered and who is full of joy. It’s not our place to cast judgments on people that we don’t know – or on anyone for that matter. When we can hold a space of openness and empathy for everyone we meet, it becomes clear that they are merely a reflection of us.

Everyone just wants to be loved and accepted for who they are, and if you practice giving this love out to people, you will receive it back.

Credits:

Additional animation: Brad Jackson Kevin Zaw, Anthony Farrow
Colouring: Alyssa Duchnycz
Music: TerraTonz & John Hand