There were three men crossing a desert on their camels. They came to the top of a dune and heard a voice in the wind. One of the men asked the others to join him in searching out the voice. One of the men was angry at the suggestion, he did not want to waste the time seeking its source. The other was indifferent to the suggestion. He understood both sides of the argument. He eventually agreed to search it out.
The men found the source after a tough journey over a few dunes. It drew them to a dry riverbed. They came upon a merchant there that shared a folk tale he once heard. He said to collect as many stones from this bed as possible and you will receive a reward at your journey’s end. The first man eager as ever filled all of his bags and pockets with stones. The negative one of the group did not take any stones saying it will hinder their journey and put too much burden upon them. The third grabbed a few stones thinking it could not hurt.
The three men continued their journey. The one who did not take any stones, became annoyed that the others were moving too slowly due to their worthless cargo. After a heated argument, they decided to disband and continue their journey. Of course the one that did not take any stones arrived to the town first. He was proud bragging to others, telling stories of his mates stupidity. The other two men eventually made their way to town. Upon their arrival, they realized that their stones had become gold.
I was told this story when I was 16 by a Story Teller. He told the group that there would be times in our life when we are faced with a tough choice. This story would slap us in the face and remind us to do the work, hopefully before the decision. But most likely, it will hit us on the back of the head at completion.
Every one must choose their own journey. Their reward will be reflective of their effort.
