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WHO IS MORE USEFUL?

    There was once an argument between a snake and bird. The bird said I have status. I’m more knowledgeable than you because I can fly across to so many places, get to see so many events and therefore I’m much more intelligent, knowledgeable and useful for the planet earth than you.

    The snake said by roaming around aimlessly and peeping into other’s lives you don’t become intelligent or knowledgeable. Look at me I’m the most grounded living being on earth. I can feel the pulse of the tectonic plates that holds the planet earth. I can exactly tell you the mood of the earth. The kind of knowledge that I have you don’t have.

    No-no you’re just a dormant creature cursed by God. Reason why you can’t even walk and therefore you slither on your ribs. Countered the bird again.

    But you’re not as rough and tough as me. People are scared of me. Have you heard of snake bite? People don’t therefore come near me. But no one is scared of a bird. People take you very lightly and they even cage you for their own pleasure. Will someone have the guts to cage a snake?

    They cage birds because they look beautiful and they can also chatter in their beautiful voices which human beings love hearing. And you can’t even speak barring your dangerous hiss that frightens everyone. Said the bird.

    Nearby a tortoise was watching this heated argument for a while now. He had never thought of life in this manner. He had always thought all beings are creations of God and are equal. After sometime he could not hold himself so he intervened in the matter as an ordinary citizen of the planet.

    ‘What is the argument about and why are you both fighting tooth and nail.’ Asked the tortoise.

    ‘Because this stupid bird is not ready to accept the great and deadly qualities of a snake. Snakes are the most grounded beings on earth.’

    ‘And birds are the most intelligent and knowledgeable beings because they fly to so many places and see so many events which the snake is not ready to accept. Snakes spend all their lives in their holes.’

    ‘Can I say something?’ The tortoise looked at both of them. One up on the tree and the other on the ground.

    ‘Birds are God’s emissary in the sky and snakes are God’s emissary under the ground. But sadly you both are unaware of each other’s role in the God’s scheme of things because you both live in your own world. If a bird is asked to go under the ground it won’t be able to do so, in the same manner if the snake is asked to fly it won’t be able to do so. Every being on this planet is a creation of God with a specific purpose.’

    ‘Then what is your purpose?’ Interrupted the angry bird perched on the tree which the snake seconded.

    ‘Well my purpose is to remind you of your purpose, which both of you, have forgotten.’ said the tortoise and then added.  ‘Look at me. I can neither fly nor can I go deep under the ground, as the snake can, yet I consider myself to be a God’s emissary in the planet.’

Upon hearing this the bird took to the sky and the snake glided away.

    Moral of the story: We often draw our own conclusions about others usefulness, without realizing, the actual usefulness of that person, and also, the actual uselessness of ourselves.

Written by Kamlesh Tripathi

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https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com

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Shravan Charity Mission is an NGO that works for poor children suffering from life threatening diseases especially cancer. Our posts are meant for our readers that includes both children and adults and it has a huge variety in terms of content. We also accept donations for our mission. Should you wish to donate for the cause. The bank details are given below:

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GLOOM BEHIND THE SMILE

(The book is about a young cancer patient. Now archived in 7 prestigious libraries of the US, including, Harvard University and Library of Congress. It can also be accessed in MIT through Worldcat.org. Besides, it is also available for reading in Libraries and archives of Canada and Cancer Aid and Research Foundation Mumbai)  

ONE TO TANGO … RIA’S ODYSSEY

(Is a book on ‘singlehood’ about a Delhi girl now archived in Connemara Library, Chennai and Delhi Public Library, GOI, Ministry of Culture, Delhi)

AADAB LUCKNOW … FOND MEMORIES

(Is a fiction written around the great city of Nawabs—Lucknow. It describes Lucknow in great detail and also talks about its Hindu-Muslim amity. That happens to be its undying characteristic. The book was launched in Lucknow International Literary Festival of 2014)

REFRACTIONS … FROM THE PRISM OF GOD

(Co-published by Cankids–Kidscan, a pan India NGO and Shravan Charity Mission, that works for Child cancer in India. The book is endorsed by Ms Preetha Reddy, MD Apollo Hospitals Group. It was launched in Lucknow International Literary Festival 2016)

TYPICAL TALE OF AN INDIAN SALESMAN

(Is a story of an Indian salesman who is, humbly qualified. Yet he fights his ways through unceasing uncertainties to reach the top. A good read not only for salesmen. The book was launched on 10^th February, 2018 in Gorakhpur Lit-Fest. Now available in Amazon, Flipkart and Onlinegatha)

RHYTHM … in poems

(Published in January 2019. The book contains 50 poems. The poems describe our day to day life. The book is available in Amazon, Flipkart and Onlinegatha)

MIRAGE

(Published in February 2020. The book is a collection of eight short stories. It is available in Amazon, Flipkart and Notion Press)

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