Two Short Stories with Life Lessons for Reflection

1. Story To
Reflect
Upon 147
The Wall
A man was once chased by several tribesmen who wanted to
kill him. The man entered into a cave to hide himself. The
tribesmen started looking for him in the many caves in the
area. In great desperation the man prayed to God, “Oh God,
send down two angels and seal the entrance of the cave so
that the tribesmen cannot enter and kill me.
The tribesmen were fast approaching the cave where he was.
The man then saw a little spider starting to weave a web at the
entrance of the cave.. The man again prayed, this time more
desperately:
"Lord, I did not ask for a spider. How can it protect me?
Please place a strong wall at the entrance so that the men
cannot enter to kill me." He opened his eyes expecting to see
a wall sealing the entrance. Instead he saw the little spider
weaving its spider web. The tribesmen were already entering
the neighboring cave . Soon they would find him in this cave
and kill him death.
Thoughts of disappointment with God went through the
man’s mind.
When the tribesmen stood in front of the cave where the man
was in, the little spider had already covered the whole
entrance with its web. The man then heard the chief of the
tribesmen say, “This cave has spider webs. Nobody has
entered this one. Come let’s move on to the other caves.”
Reflection
*
There is a reason for happenings. One should not
underestimate things, thinking they are useless. One can
never tell for sure.
* One should have strong faith in one’s own prayers.

2. Story To
Reflect
Upon 148
A Choice
A beggar once asked Ibrahim ibn Al Adham for charity.
Ibrahim told him, "I'll give you better than that; come with
me."
Ibrahim brought the beggar to see a merchant, and asked him
to find a job for the beggar. As Ibrahim was well trusted, the
merchant did not hesitate to give some merchandises to the
beggar and asked him to travel and sell them in another city.
A few days later, Ibrahim found the beggar still in a miserable
condition; surprised, he asked him about the matter.
The beggar informed him, "While traveling, I found a blind
eagle in the desert, and I was very curious how it got food
though it was blind; I observed it for some time, and, to my
big surprise, another eagle came by and fed it. Thus, I said to
myself, “Ah, whoever took care of that blind eagle in this
desert will also take care of me! I returned to the city and
gave the merchant back his goods."
Ibrahim, after reflection, asked him, "But tell me, why did
you choose to be the blind eagle, not the other one, who could
fly, chase, and take care of others?"
Unknown Author
Reflection:
* How often have we been conquered by the forces of
laziness, mental sloth and torpor and foolish delusions?
* Let us learn to be more self-reliant, industrious,
determined and persevering ...these are hallmarks of a
dignified and worthy human being.
* May we choose to live a meaningful and worthy life of
developing our wisdom and reaching out to the more
unfortunate ones.
* Effort, energy, patience and mindful striving on are
essential in walking the spiritual path.