by : Anthony de Mello, SJ
I am in desperate need of help -- or I'll go crazy.
We're living in a single room -- my wife, my children
and my in-laws. So our nerves are on edge, we yell
and scream at one another. The room is a hell."
"Do you promise to do whatever I tell you?" said the
Master gravely.
"I swear I shall do anything."
"Very well. How many animals do you have?"
"A cow, a goat and six chickens."
"Take them all into the room with you. Then come back
after a week."
The disciple was appalled. But he had promised to obey!
So he took the animals in. A week later he came back,
a pitiable figure, moaning, "I'm a nervous wreck. The
dirt! The stench! The noise! We're all on the verge
of madness!"
"Go back," said the Master, "and put the animals out."
The man ran all the way home. And came back the
following day, his eyes sparkling with joy. "How sweet
life is! The animals are out. The home is a Paradise,
so quiet and clean and roomy!"
