Tiger and the Fox

A fox who lived in a deep forest had lost its front legs - perhaps escaping from a trap.

A man who lived in the forest saw the fox from time to time and wondered how it managed to get its food. She can't even walk because of the amputated legs - how can she run and hunt for food? 

One day, he saw the fox not far from him - crawling, dragging herself on her two legs. 

The man decided to watch her - 

but he had to hide quickly because a tiger was approaching. 

The tiger had a fresh kill in its claws. 

Lying down on the ground, he ate all he could, leaving the rest for the fox. 

Again the next day, the great Provider of this world sent provisions to the fox by the same tiger. 

The man kept watching for a few days. 

That tiger would come there with his prey - eat as much as he could and leave the rest for the fox.

The man began to think: 

"If this fox is taken care of in this mysterious way, its food sent by the unseen Higher Power, why don't I just rest and have my daily meal provided for me too?"

He sat in a corner - praying and waiting for his food. 

But nothing happened.

He had a lot of faith, so he let the day pass, praying and waiting for food.

Still, nothing happened.

But he did not lose faith - hoping God would provide for him soon.

Day by day - he was losing weight and strength - but nothing was provided to him mysteriously. 

One day, close to losing consciousness, he heard a voice that said:

"O you, who have mistaken the way - see now the Truth!

Instead of imitating the disabled fox, you should have followed the example of that tiger - who not only worked for his own food - but provided to others too."

                  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In the past, I used to pray, O' God - Please feed the hungry, cover the naked, and provide shelter to the homeless. 

Now I pray for guidance and strength to do what I can to make a difference. 

I pray for the courage to do what I am supposed to do.

I used to think that Ardas and prayers would change things and circumstances, but now I know that prayers are supposed to change us - our thoughts - and we should try to change the things we can.

The real purpose of Ardas and prayer is to summon the strength to change things around us by selfless actions - and to accept the circumstances that are not possible to change - which are beyond our control.

                                 ' Rajan Sachdeva '