Aesop’s donkey had a tough day. Earlier in the day he upset some pots and pans in the market for which he was roundly abused by the shop owner. Then it was his master who called him stupid for losing the way. Later in the evening Aesop’s wife as she led him to the stable, was sore at the beast. The reason? He fouled up the corner where the oxen were to lie. The beast of burden knew his difficulties did not end there.
After supper he overheard his master chatting with some neighbors. One of them commented, ”The world is certainly out of joint. So topsy turvy,I say.” At this point the donkey brightened up to tell the rooster, ”I tell you, why I am singled out for blame!” and he added, ”It is the world at fault. I happen to fit the bill, that is all.”
Our concept of Self is always lopsided: we know what is wrong with our world. But do we see we are also partly to blame?. So we have someone always to blame for our troubles without accepting our own share in it. If we complain of global warming is there any point in blaming the North or South. Is there? Aren’t we also part of the problem?
*Sign on a doormat: Please wipe your feet before you enter! Mind your carbon footprint.
benny
