Truth and Beauty

I stumbled on a series of articles about the stories currently in vogue about the next 'end of the world'. I made a donation to the NRDC, clicked for no apparent reason on the Stumbleupon icon at the bottom of the page, was drawn to the Google purchases a jet fighter plane article which brought me to the "No Doomsday in 2012" series.

Ahhhh, the weird, wonderful web. I can personally remember a few doomsday predictions that had me either mildly worried or completely freaked out back in the day.

Just a note on those: none of them ever happened.

Just like I believe none of these will ever happen. It would be too easy.

The hard thing is to stay where you are, deal with the messes in front of you, take responsibility for bringing peace, love and abundance to the world in which you currently live. There won't be aliens (which is a disappointment to me, believe me), there won't be global disasters caused by an angry and righteous god in partnership with a gleeful demonic legion - these stories all speak to our desire to have something outside of ourselves take over, be responsible, for just a while. Then we can react - something to bump up against which changes the course of our lives.

Meanwhile, today, this moment, there are actions we can take to create change - tremendous change - in the world around us.

A beautiful poet, Maithri, has introduced me to a profound, soul-enriching path to this change, and I'd like to pass the story on to you. Visit these young heroes and come to know their stories; become a part of their stories if you can.

I've been keenly aware of life's paradoxes this week.  I see my own all too well.  There's a tale that no one seems to know the origin of, or at least that's what I've been told. I call it Truth and Beauty. It speaks to the paradox of perspective and to the importance of finding one's truth and living by it.

What's My Story?

Everyone has a story.

Actually, we seem to have quite a few stories that we tell ourselves and our world that explain who we are. These stories can be based solely on our perspective of the 'what happens' to us. A critical factor in this is "our perspective".

How do we get to new perspectives? Why would we want to?

Once upon a time a woman was walking in the forest. She'd been walking for many days and nights becoming exhausted and frightened. Most of the trees looked like the rest of the trees. She had held onto hope of finding her way on her own for as long as she could, but finally accepted, that from this point of view, success was out of her reach.

If someone had come along, her story would have sounded like this: "I'm always lost, I can't get out of this forest because the trees all look the same and everytime I turn I end up where I started. I'd like to get past this, but I can't. The forest won't let me. It seems like nothing works out for me."

I've been in this forest myself and it's very frustrating.

Fortunately, one day it occurs to her that if she climbs a tree the view will be different - maybe even better. She had to climb quite a few trees, because each new perspective would only get her so far along on her journey. Eventually, she did find her way out of the forest (only to land in the middle of a deep sea, but that's a different story).

Now her story sounded something like this: "I was lost, but figured out that the trees which were keeping me lost were really the key to my success, because as soon as I learned to climb them I was able to find my way out. I succeeded, not because of the trees, but because I learned to see the trees in a new way."

So, how does one learn to see the trees in a new way? They all look pretty much the same, day after day. What can give us the inspiration that transforms the everyday into the transcendent? What is the 'magic pixie dust' that turns lead into gold?

For me, one great source is story. The world is full of story. We are often limited in the story choices our culture offers, but only because we haven't availed ourselves of the vast pool of multicultural folktales. Stories from around the world hold up fresh mirrors within which to see ourselves. These tales have been distilled through the centuries and offer resonant, archetypal images that we can draw on when interpreting the mundane events of our lives.

Our deeper selves don't long for untroubled, problem-free lives - our deeper selves yearn for a sense of meaning and a cultivation of depth of experience. Feed your deeper self some rich stories today. Go for the wild, enormous Russian tales, or the elegant, poignancy of Japanese tales, or the lilting, rich, dynamic Irish tales. Then, see yourself in the story and see the story in yourself.

This just might be the 'real' magic mirror.

Every Good Idea......

Why is the road to hell paved with good intentions?

Why does no good deed go unpunished?

Why do we have sayings like these?

For many years, one of my very favorite, short Buddhist tales is about Mara, the buddhist god of ignorance and evil. It is Mara's purpose to bring about disharmony, misfortune and chaos. If someone's life is going well, it's Mara's pleasure to bring disruption. It's also Mara's role and sole reason for being.

Like other spiritual beings, Mara has his followers. They travel with him as he makes his way through our world causing trouble. One day Mara and posse find themselves in a village where they come upon a man engaged in walking meditation. It's working. The man has attained a moment of clarity and transcendence. Something he discovered on the ground has opened this awareness for him and he is gazing, transfixed upon the object. He is One with Truth at this moment.

Mara and his followers walk by without disturbing the man. The followers, concerned by Mara's lack of interference, ask what it was that the man had found, to which Mara responds, 'a piece of truth.'

'Doesn't this bother you when someone finds a piece of truth? Aren't you going to take it away?'

'No', said Mara, 'right after this they usually make a belief out of it.'

Stay in the awareness.

In the book, A New Earth: Awakening To Your Life's Purpose, author, Eckhart Tolle adds 'Knowing yourself is to be rooted in Being, instead of lost in your mind.'

This story of Mara is rich with wisdom.  Sit, for a long time, with the idea of experiencing awareness and Oneness with Truth -  the doing nothing stage - the action through non-action stage.

Then remember, because we've all had the experience, how it feels when an awareness becomes an idea, which then becomes a belief, which generates rules of behavior, and that is the moment we've lost the connection to Truth.  

The trick is in the sifting.

Blessings and Curses

There is a theme that appears in various folktales from different cultures.  The idea that 'it could always be worse' or 'what appears as a blessing could be a curse and what appears as a curse could be a blessing'.  Basically, the idea that it's all relative and it's all in how you look at it.

A good thought to carry with me throughout my day.

A Chinese tale takes this view - what seems like a curse can just as easily turn out to be a blessing and what seems like a blessing can just as easily turn out to be a curse.

There was once a farmer who lived, with his family, in an area in the mountains near the border.  A son was born to him and his wife.  The boy grew into a fine young man who loved to ride and everyone said to them, 'what a blessing! A son who is a strong and talented horseman!' The farmer merely said, 'sometimes what seems to be a blessing is really a curse, sometimes what seems to be a curse is really a blessing.' The family was given a fine stallion, which caused the neighbors to again say, 'what a blessing!'  The farmer merely said, 'sometimes what seems to be a blessing is really a curse, sometimes what seems to be a curse is really a blessing.' The stallion threw the young man and his leg was broken.  The surgeon said it would never heal properly.  The boy would never walk normally.  At this the neighbors said 'what a curse that your son will never be able to walk well again'.  The farmer merely said, 'sometimes what seems to be a blessing is really a curse, sometimes what seems to be a curse is really a blessing.'  It was at this time that war was declared with the neighboring country and the emperor commanded every able-bodied man to be conscripted into the army to be sent into battle immediately. . . . . .

We just never know.

The Child of Salt

One of my favorite stories is a Traditional tale published in Stories of the Spirit, Stories of the Heart. It tells of a child made all of salt who didn't know his true nature and didn't know from whence he'd come. It was a powerful desire for him to learn of his origins and so he set out on his journey, traveling through many forests, across deserts and over mountains. He didn't know what it was that would tell him the truth of himself; he believed it would be self evident, though, when it happened.
Finally, he came to the shore of a great ocean. The harmonics of the waves, the particles of ocean floating in the air, the colors of the water - all spoke to him in a language both new and familiar. The ocean beckoned him, saying "if you wish to know who you are....do not be afraid....join with me." The salt child walked further and further into the water.
He dissolved a little more with each step, and yet he continued his steps - his heart was alight, as his body was dispersed.
"Ahhhhh, now I know who I am."

William Penn

I recently learned about an amazing and quiet hero of early American times.  I'd always known in the back of my mind that he founded Pennsylvania, having grown up in the region, but I'd not gotten a clear picture of this great man until now.

Here is an excerpt from Quaker.org:
"William Penn was the first great hero of American liberty. During the late seventeenth century, when Protestants persecuted Catholics, Catholics persecuted Protestants, and both persecuted Quakers and Jews, Penn established an American sanctuary which protected freedom of conscience. Almost everywhere else, colonists stole land from the Indians, but Penn traveled unarmed among the Indians and negotiated peaceful purchases. He insisted that women deserved equal rights with men. He gave Pennsylvania a written constitution which limited the power of government, provided a humane penal code, and guaranteed many fundamental liberties."

According to the Historical Documents Co., "not a drop of the blood of a Quaker was ever shed by an Native American during Wm. Penn's lifetime."

The story of William Penn is a powerful example of one person choosing to live by his conscience despite the cultural conventions and governmental policies of the time.  He was fortunate to secure "a charter from the british crown to a vast territory in America of 40,000 square miles...this charter was in payment of a debt of $20,000 due his father."

Had William Penn been a poor colonist, or an indentured slave, or even a woman would he have had the ability to live by his conscience?  We cannot know - we can know, however, that a person whose survival needs are met and who has been given guidance to listen to and follow one's conscience, may make the choice to become an exemplary human being.

For me, this story is completely reflective of my world and my time, now.  Do I live by my conscience?  Have I given myself the time and opportunity to think about how I live?  How much of my lifestyle is a default position I inherit from my culture and how much is a true expression of my conscience?

Important questions for any age.  Valuable thoughts to instill in our children.  Even as we instill our own values, we must be clear that in the end they must choose.  Thoughtfully, carefully, when they have the maturity, choose to live courageously and humanely and treat all humans with respect and equality.

Here you can read a book written by William Penn and hear his thoughts directly.

"Do good with what though hast, or it will do thee no good."

What Will People Say?

"Goha had a naughty son who would never do as he was told. When asked to do something, the boy had one ready answer. "But what will people say?" he would shake his head and say.
Goha decided one day that it was time to teach his son a useful lesson, and prove to the the boy that pleasing everyone was an impossible thing. This is what Goha did:
He mounted his donkey and started to the market, after ordering his son to follow him along behind on foot. In a little while they came across a group of women doing their washing at the bank of the river.
The women bawled over to Goha, "Do you have a rock instead of a heart, you merciless man? How do you have the shamelessness to ride while that poor boy of yours runs along behind?"
So, Goha got off the donkey and ordered the boy to mount, while he himself followed on foot. After some time they came across a group of old men sunning themselves at the corner of a field. One of the old men began shaking his head back and forth and pointing at Goha. Then he yelled out in a loud and shaky voice, "I do declare! If that ain't the way to bring up an ingrate. Yes sir-ree, if you want no respect from your boy, that's the way to get it."
Then, when Goha got closer, he said, "How do you expect to teach your son any manners, or hope for any good conduct, when you treat him that way? How can you let him ride the donkey, while you, his father and elder, follow walking? What are fathers made of these days, I'd like to know?"
So, father and son mounted the donkey and they continued on their way."*
The story continues with Goha and his son meeting a few other opinionated groups who take great offense at whatever solution Goha has attempted. They finally arrive at the market, along with the throng of emotionally invested onlookers, only to be met by a policeman who is taking them first to the station and second to the madhouse.
"This, my son, is the result of troubling yourself over what other people will say."*

An excellent story of how and why one should live by one's own integrity - 'what will people say?' can easily lead us into actions that are not an expression of our true selves.  Clearly, though, this requires that we have given some thought to what our values are and the reasoning behind them.  For this, we do need ideas and philosophies from a wide variety of people and from a wide variety of world views.   Take them in, measure them carefully within our own heart and thoughtfully craft our expression of who we wish to be.  This isn't done once, or even twice and then we're....voila!.....complete human beings.  It seems to me that I find a need for it several times a day, sometimes moment to moment.

And when I 'fail' to meet my own idea of right I have that crowd of women doing their washing, or the group of old men sunning themselves to jeer and bawl at me, too.

*excerpted from The Black Prince and other Egyptian Folk Tales by Ahmed and Zane Zagloul, 1971"

Ariel Meets The Black Prince

There is a terrific story from Egyptian folklore, called The Black Prince.  I learned it years ago from a recording by an enchanting storyteller, Laura Simms.  I've also read it in Ahmed and Zane Zagloul's book, The Black Prince and Other Egyptian Folk Tales, published in 1971.  I've enjoyed the entire collection presented in that book.  There is truly a unique flavor to these tales and they convey a sensibility which feels authentic - although not having traveled to Egypt, I can only guess at such things.

What struck me when I reread it recently was a notable difference between Simms' version and the one in the book which claims it "contains sixteen representative Egyptian stories hitherto unpublished in the English language."  This leads me to believe the stories are fairly intact as written.

Simms makes a few alterations, to make the story her own, I would assume.  The Zaglouls' version reveals to us that Habi has no need of the offerings of others - no payment for the unique and dark service he renders.  He also doesn't seem sinister, nor does he seem particularly foreboding.  The Simms' version has Habi asking for the young boy's handmade flute - his prize possession and ultimately the expression of all that he is and all that is deeply true about him.

I find, now, that contrary to 10 years or so ago, I no longer like this idea.  First, rereading the Zaglouls' book, I have a renewed sense of the spicy, rich character of these Egyptian folktales and perhaps even the people who told them.  Suddenly, today, Simms' version reminds me of the Disney story of Ariel, the little mermaid who gave up her voice for love.  She, too, was transformed, perhaps irrevocably.  This makes me wonder if this idea is uniquely Western.

Habi does what he does, because he does what he does - he doesn't require payment from the recipient of his gifts - the one who makes the choice to undergo transformation in the name of true love will find there is enough payment to be made by the time the circle of the story closes. 

Interestingly, to me, is that the original Little Mermaid story has an ending more in common with the Egyptian folktale than with the Disney movie.

Is there wisdom in this story?  Lots.

Have I talked about any of it?  I don't think so.  I'm just beginning to keep company with this story - as it was originally told - the dial's on simmer and the savory essences are just beginning to be released.  It's a complex tale, although at first glance I don't think it's obvious.  It's taken me 10 years to hear a different resonance in it.  It could take 10 more for me to find  the still places within it that speak the most truthfully.

I can live with that.

Chickpeas and Chickens

It seems to be Nasrudin season for me. I was recently musing on the story of Nasrudin and Chickpeas. I attended a history discussion about the American colonists and how it is so very important to keep in the forefront of one's thinking that the American colonies could never have been successful had it not been for the abuse and murder of the Native Americans and the African and African-American slaves.

Nasrudin, you see, lives on a diet of chickpeas (garbanzo beans) and water. Very bland, although healthy and nutritious. He wears simple clothing made from unrefined fabrics. His home, while comfortable, is plain.

He is invited to dine at the home of a wealthy man who dresses in the most brilliant finery, eats the most luscious, expensive foods and lives, as you may imagine, in a fabulous home. This man has earned all this luxury by flattering and being subservient to the Emperor.

There are many guests, and this wealthy man can't help but point out to all the difference between his lifestyle and that of Nasrudin. So much for the rewards of being wise, of being hodja - "Nasrudin, you know, that if you would simply do as I do and subserve yourself to the Emperor, flatter him at all times and make yourself low to him, you, too, could live a life of luxury as I do. There would be no more meals of chickpeas and water." The guests all nod in agreement and wish they, too, might have this life.

Nasrudin eats quietly for a moment, 'If you, too, were to live on a diet of chickpeas and water, then there would be no need for you to subserve yourself to, and be a flatterer of, the Emperor."

I see that a genuine study of American Colonial times must tell all the truth, that without the heavy price of lives, blood and even souls, this country probably wouldn't have become the nation it became. What price, the soul of a nation?

Today, I ask myself - 'what cost, my soul?'

Forgiveness and Might

There's a wonderful character called Nasrudin.  He originated in Sufi stories, but has made his way to other places around the world.  The Nasrudin tales are among my very favorites because his wisdom is always upside down.  He is known as a hodja, a wise fool.

In one story Nasrudin is standing in the busy marketplace waiting for someone to point him out as an idiot.  It's an interesting occupation, as you can imagine, while we are all working so hard to be seen as bright, capable, resourceful, reliable, steady and smart.

The game was this - everyone was aware that Nasrudin was an easy mark - someone would come up to him and say, 'Mulla, choose from these two coins, which one is better?!'  There was always a coin of lower value and a coin of substantially higher value.  To the delight of the jokester and those looking on, Nasrudin always took the coin of lesser value.  They would hoot and laugh at the foolishness of an old man - wise fool, indeed!

The next thing you knew, there was another person making the same offer to Nasrudin, ready to pounce on him with derision about his idiocy for not knowing the difference between a valuable coin and a lesser one.  The crowd often seemed to love this game enough to have it go on for hours.  Nasrudin never once chose the more valuable coin, never once become distressed or upset at being proclaimed an idiot.

Hmmmm, what story wisdom do I find here?  The story's punchline lets us in on Nasrudin's joke - he knows that if he, even once, chose the more valuable coin the game would be over.  As he says, ' if I took the larger coin then people will stop offering me coins in order to prove that I am more idiotic than they are.  Then I would have no money at all!'

It seems the wisdom of this tale lies on its surface, until I listened to Dr. Uma Mysorekar talk about Forgiving Someone Who Has Hurt You.  Her talk brought this story to mind.  I began to see that the money in the story is a symbol for the strength that she is talking about.  That each time Nasrudin accepted the invitation to play the coin game he was practicing Forgiveness and as a result was greatly rewarded.  If he ever were to take the road of showing the world that he was no fool he would lose the richness that came to him by being wise.

It reminds me that the path of evolving will often exclude the praise of the crowd.  It reminds me that the quiet knowledge that one is building one's inner strength has greater rewards than the opinions of others.  Now, if only I could find a marketplace where people would offer me two coins..........

Where o' where

I recently attended our Symphony's opening concert. One of the pieces was Symphonic Dances from West Side Story by Leonard Bernstein. I don't have a great deal of background in classical music so I'm always open to hearing the music as it is that evening as opposed to having any opinion about a particular piece.

When I heard the Symphonic Dances I was elated. It has such character, movement and richness. This is a piece of music that tells a great story. It probably helps to be somewhat familiar with the plot of West Side Story, because the various movements lead the listener yon and thither.

At intermission, a group of friends were gathered and one woman who I know only peripherally asked where I tell stories. She'd only just learned that I did.
I'm always stumped by that question. I usually respond by asking another question: "Where would you go to hear a storyteller?"

'There's a place for us......' These days stories are told in books, movies, music, visual art, theater - but where is the place we go to sit in the company of a traditional tale teller and engage in the Art of Story? A place where we share not only words and ideas, but a common emotional and spiritual experience.

There are festivals, to be sure, but this feels too isolated from the day to day experiences we all share. Storytelling is a daily activity. It is a cathartic activity. It gives each of us insight into ourselves and into one another.

Let's find 'a place for us.'

Rumplestiltskin

While preparing for a storytelling performance, I was reviewing Rumplestiltskin - it was the first folktale that awakened me to the deeper power of story. I haven't performed it in years, but was considering it for my Harvest Stories From Around The World program.

So far, the theme seems to be sowing what we reap, sort of thing. I'm not big on stories with obvious moral lessons. They don't hold the elegance of a tale that makes me wonder if right is really right, or if maybe my opinion isn't really more about me and less about how things are. I really love a tale that makes me question my assumptions. Rumplestiltskin, perhaps because it is such an old friend, has become inelegant to me.

It's not the story - it's me.

Like any doorway into deeper understanding, what I see says more about me than about the doorway. I'm beginning to suspect there's more gold to mine in this story - the question is....am I willing to sit with it? Am I willing to enter with eyes wide open and allow my heart to inform me?

Yes,
I can.

Keep Your Eye on the Leprechaun

I've always enjoyed the tales of the fine Irish lads who come across the gnarled, grizzled, tiny bootmaker, also known as the Leprechaun. There are a few versions, all ending the same way. An underlying theme is the young men's desire to achieve success for very little effort.

Leprechaun lore tells us, and them, that in order to get the Leprechaun to take you to his pot of gold you must hold on to him fast, and never, never, never take your eyes off him - not for an instant. To look away or loosen your grasp is to lose the shrewd ticket to your fortune.

In this fairly short tale, I'd found it difficult to connect to any wisdom.

I could always see the value in taking the path of least resistance, ie, finding the pot of gold being the quickest path to wealth. Yet, in every version, the gold remains hidden. It wasn't until listening to Seth Godin's, The Dip, that the threads of this story came together for me.

He speaks of quitting all those things that drain energy from our true purpose (my words). Quitting anything that isn't bringing us to a place of being the best in the world at whatever it is we are best in the world at doing.

It made me think of the Leprechaun story - everyone knows that no one has ever succeeded in capturing the pot of gold.  The knowledge of how it's to be done is there - it's just been shown to be impossible.  Now, you don't want to not try something you believe in, just because everyone else has failed - that's not what this is about.

I think it's that when we are clear about our passion, when we visualize our plan clearly, when we show up each day to take the next step, and when we slog through the dips - distractions and false promises of easy achievement won't even get our attention.  It isn't that the gold doesn't exist; it does.  It's even possible that one day someone will outsmart the Leprechaun.

What's most true, now, is that the way to the gold is by digging deep into one's own path.  This quote sums it up best for me; I was told this came from Native American wisdom:

Number 1:  Show Up

Number 2:  Pay Attention

Number 3:  Tell The Truth

Number 4:  Release Any Attachment To The Outcome

Follow these and I guarantee you'll find your own personal gold.

Be Nice, Be Polite

This is a Japanese folktale that I learned from another teller a number of years ago. I've never seen a written version, although I imagine there must be one.

In this story we meet a kind, thoughtful, graceful, submissive Japanese woman of the marrying age, which, at the time, was probably 15. Her parents were very happy when she received an offer of marriage from the parents of a young man in their village. His family was among the wealthiest in the town. A match of this caliber would insure their daughter's future and happiness.

At least that's the plan.

Fortunately for our tale, the young man also had a reputation as being obnoxious, rude, boastful, conceited, boorish.......keep going until you run out of the worst personal qualities.

Unfortunately for our kind-hearted young woman, life with this man as her husband was promising to be difficult and without joy. That is, until they found out they were going to have their first child.

Now our young mother-to-be felt joy and lightness. A child to raise and experience the happiness of life with....until it occurred to her that this child might be more like her husband than herself. The possibility of another of his ilk in her home, dominating her life was more than she could bear. And so, taking the advice of the local wise woman, she performed a ritual all the while she was pregnant to insure that the baby would inherit her grace and kindness.

At this point, I ask myself, 'what situations in my home, my community and my world have I accepted despite knowing that they don't fulfill me or even offer the circumstances in which I might be fulfilled?' 'How often do I resort to hopeful rituals, sometimes without knowing they cannot bring about my desired result?' You see, in this story the desired outcome arrives...sort of.....but neither she, nor her husband, live to see it since it takes 50 or 60 years!

Belief, and hope, and desire are all important components of my life, but must be balanced with genuine action. I look at my choices now, with this awareness in mind. I'll probably even keep a few of the hopeful rituals, while integrating genuine action. I'll probably find, along the way, that the balance shifts and sways with the circumstances of my life, and once in a while things might even turn out the way I want them to.

Most of the time, things will go the way which brings me a deeper experience of life - it won't always feel good, it won't always look pretty. I like that - it makes the other times even prettier and it gives depth to my experiences that I wouldn't necessarily seek out myself.

Run With Great Joy

If you know the story of The Archer, The Firebird & The Princess Vasilissa, you know that there comes a time when the archer makes a choice. His Horse of Power tells him to run with all his strength toward the cauldron of boiling water and leap as if with great joy, into the boiling water. Is this really the best way to face one's doom?

Apparently, since the cauldron of boiling water held the medium of the archer's transformation.

It occurs to me that if one were to run with all one's strength at life's challenges and leap as if with great joy into the boiling cauldrons of our lives we, too, will enjoy optimum transformation.

The path which brought the archer to that place of fear, hopelessness and sorrow was not an easy road and we aren't told what he felt while sinking down under that boiling water three times. Boiling water sounds very painful. We also know that he has no prescience of the actual outcome of his sacrifice. He can believe nothing other than that he will be boiled to death.

What we can rely on, is that having finally trusted his Horse of Power, he is rewarded beyond imagining. He becomes all that a human being can. His heart is whole and his life's purpose is assured. He achieves union with the great source of Love and becomes the sovereign of his kingdom.

Ready, set, run!

The Crane Wife

One of my favorite tales is from Japan.  It's a common motif found in stories all around the world.  It is the story of The Crane Wife.  In this tale a man satisfied with his simple, undemanding life lives by his heart.  He appears to be in tune with the natural world around him and enjoys much of his time in silence.

The day he saves the crane is the day everything changes.  He has no idea that listening to his heart, which tells him to gently wrap the crane in his coat and carry her home is the beginning of a transformative adventure.  This simple act opens a door to complexity, joy, loss, and finally, wisdom.  If someone or something had told him at that moment not to pick up the crane do you think he would have listened?

At the end of this tale, I like to ask the listeners what they think he did with the 3rd bolt of cloth.  In many of the versions he is redeemed.  I always like to hear that.  It gives me a sense of hope and a belief in the inherent goodness and optimism of people.

When it comes to the important things - we are so much alike.

The Firebird, The Horse of Power and the Princess Vasilissa

In this story we have an archer, who, although it's never stated, is highly skilled in his art.  No doubt he has seen a few battles and survived, apparently unscathed.  He is young, handsome and strong.  This type of young man would feel that he had little to fear from the ordinary world.  He is desiring advancement and success, like so many 20-somethings.  It's no wonder that a mere golden feather, even though it is from the breast of the Firebird, would not cause him trepidation.

His Horse of Power warns him - 'don't pick up the feather; if you do, trouble will come to you and you will come to know the meaning of the word FEAR'.

His battle experience, training, youth and strength all assure him that there is no trouble he cannot withstand, and no fear he cannot face.  Surely the Tsar will reward the man who brings him a gift no one else has or has even seen.  The Firebird is well known, but, as the stories say, never been seen, never captured.  This is a great opportunity and against his Horse's advice, the archer takes it.

It's said that we are sent only as much tribulation as we can handle and yet, the trials that cause us to grow and bloom are often the ones that knock us off of our feet.  We almost never see the trouble coming and once we're in it we almost never see the way through.

The Wisdom In Story

For many years, as a Traditional Storyteller, I have enjoyed folktales as a pool of imagery and ideas from which to draw upon.  Telling, listening to and reading stories can increase our creative problem solving abilities, give us opportunities for empathy and bring greater self-awareness.  Each post will talk about the story wisdom of a multi-cultural folktale, book, movie, and even, current event.

It's been said that we can change only one thing in life - how we perceive and therefore respond to the 'what happens' in our life.  The richness of cultural and personal information in stories can assist us and deepen our experience - truly a great gift.