Once upon a time, there was a king. The king liked one of his followers very much because he was very wise and always gave very useful advice. Therefore the king took him along wherever he went.
One day, the king was bitten by a dog, the finger was injured and the wound was getting worse. He asked the follower if that was a bad sign. The follower said, Good or bad, hard to say'. In the end, the finger of the king was too bad that had to be cut.
The king asked the follower again if that was a bad sign. Again, the follower gave the same answer, 'Good or bad, hard to say'. The king became very angry and sent the follower to prison.
One day, the king went hunting in the jungle. He got excited when he was on the chase of a deer. Deeper and deeper he went inside the jungle. In the end he found himself lost in the jungle. To make thing worse, he got captured by the native people lived inside the jungle.
They wanted to sacrifice him to their god. But when they noticed that the king had one finger short, they released him immediately as he was not a perfect man anymore and not suitable for sacrifice.
The king managed to get back to his palace after all. And he finally understood the follower's wise quote, 'Good or bad, hard to say'. If he hadn't lost one finger,he could have been killed by the native people.
He ordered to release the follower, and apologized to him. But to the king's amazement, the follower was not mad at him at all. Instead, the follower said, 'It wasn't a bad thing that you locked me up.'
Why? Because if the king hadn't locked the follower up, he would have brought the follower along to the jungle. If the native found that the king was not suitable,
they would have used the follower. Again, the quote 'Good or bad, hard to say' stands.
The moral of the story:
Everything that happens in this world, there is no absolute good or bad. Sometimes good things turned out to be bad things eventually, while bad things become a gain.
Whatever good things that happen to you, enjoy it, but don't have to hold too tight to it, treat it as a surprise in your life.Whatever bad things that happen to you, don't have to feel too sad or despair, in the end, it might not be a total bad thing after all.
If one can understand this, he or she will find life much easier.
*Thanks to Angela who sent me the above post. Do leave a comment to share your thoughts about this story and the moral. Thanks! Have a nice day!
12 comments to GOOD OR BAD? HARD TO SAY!
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Anonymous Datuk Idris said, Malaysia will be bankrupt by 2019 if we continue the subsidy.
Old Tun Dr planned, Malaysia to be a developed nation by 2020.
1MPM6 siad, yes we will be a developed nation by 2020 as the people now trusted the govt more. They even allowed subsidy to be eventually taken away and are buckling their belts to face the world economic disaster.
Well, Good or Bad, Really Hard to Say ! We are the final choice maker. Be prudence at all times.
~ahoo~
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Anonymous While it is true that in a non absolute existence, as in life here in this world presently, there can be no completely absolute delineation of what's good and bad - these terms are relative - yet in the understanding of mankind from throughout history there still is a common set of understanding of right and wrong.
Human society always demanded an enforceable set of laws to govern it and these are based on morals, and taking a clear stand rights and wrongs.
Even in the literature of the Anglo-Saxon pre-Christian era of the Beowulf poem, there was also sufficient understanding of moral values.
Any ideology which preaches death and destruction on to others cannot be good. That's why Jesus said to do unto others as you would others do unto you. And confucius, NOT to do unto others as you would NOT others unto you.
Both meant the same thing, and are morally sound and indisputable.
The islamic version of wishing for your brother what you wish for yourself isn't in the same league.
Why?
Because the question would also arise as to who constitutes your brother? Can non believers(in their terms) be regarded as "brothers"? This is the inherent difficulty.
~wits0~
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Anonymous THERE is not a single person who is free of problems or worries. Nor are there any “trouble-free” families or communities. What matters is what action we can take to resolve such problems and worries. The important thing is to exercise one’s wisdom to the fullest and make persistent efforts, while aiming towards the victory that lies beyond one’s present problems.
SIMPLY deciding from the outset that you are just not good enough, without making any effort, is nothing but escapism. Each of us is different but we are all alike in that we possess tremendous potential. The truth is, you can do almost anything if you set your mind to it. The worst thing is to lose confidence in yourself and limit your own potential.
~~ Daisaku Ikeda
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Unknown Dear Boleh Man
Ah - that one is an exception to the rule in the light of the many negatives that we have seen! May God deliver us and save us from further destruction.
Take care and thanks for sharing. Have a lovely evening.
Cheers
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Unknown Dear ahoo
Many thanks for that timely reminder. During such times, we have to be watchful, vigilant and wise in our spending and even investments.
Ultimately, we are responsible for our own decisions and must exercise wisdom and responsibility in decision-making.
Take care and God bless you for your thoughtful input.
Have a blessed week!
Shalom
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Unknown Dear ~wits0~
Amazing!!! Thank you so much for such a profound and wise comment which truly challenges me to think through many issues.
Good and bad are rightly relative concepts and yet very often, institutions force us to make a choice thereby confusing us further and forcing us into alegalistic form of religion.
True religion is from the heart and not from outward show of form or substance. To the man who thinks more, I believe more enlightenment and wisdom will be given to him.... And you are definitely a prime example.
Thanks for sharing such deep thought!
Take care and have a great week ahead!
Cheers
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Unknown Dear Anon @ 5.10pm
Just this morning I was thinking that I have not heard from you for a few says now and lo and behold, you have left yet another beautiful quotation from the writings of Daisakeu Ikeda. Confrontation with reality is necessary albeit a painful and sometimes scarring experience. Yet, in doing so, may we grow wiser and more resilient.
Take care and have a great week. Thanks again for sharing.
Do keep in touch!
Best wishes
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Unknown Dear Selvi
I believe it is a blessing sometimes and yet a blight on other occasions.
Yet, in all circumstances, we have to learn to keep our composure lest we give in to depression or disappointment.
Thanks for swinging by, Selvi. Take care and may you have a blessed week ahead!
Cheers
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Anonymous "True religion is from the heart and not from outward show of form or substance..." - MWS
Religion which relies on compulsive and mandated exoteric observances and rituals at the expense of real substance do go very far in providing much wisdom.
It is the esoteric focus that matters, for without that understanding, everything degenerates into extended "Us and Them" glorified tribalism and religion becomes merely an institution that feeds its own venal parasites playing politics.
~wits0~
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Unknown Dear ~wits0~
That is such an awesome and profound comment that I honestly do not know how to respond. In fact, you summed it up so beautifully! Thanks!
Cheers
Boleh Man Everything that happens in this world, there is no absolute good or bad.
What about things that are happening in this Bolehland?