The Chained-Free Elephant

The title is not an oxymoron. It is a story of an elephant who spent his life chained to a temple tree. As a child, 'Deceived', the elephant was chained and brought to the temple as the sacred elephant. All his childish playfullness disappeared as he spent days and weeks of his life chained to a temple tree. However hard the young elephant tried, he couldn't free himself from the strong chains bound to the strong temple tree. As the elephant grew older, he got used to the devotees of the temple, temple food, and the chain tied to his legs. He no longer tried to break the chains, as he knew they wouldn't give in. When I visited the temple, the elephant was 7 years old. The chain still remained, but, was tied only on one end - his legs. The other end was left free! If 'Deceived' wished, he could, in his youthful vigour, break the chains and free himself even if they were tied to the tree. However, the memories of the childhood remained with him - he was chained strongly to the tree in his mind, though he was free in real! And he died chained. - Aravindh

The Sage

This story has been making rounds in my mind from quite some time, so I thought I pen it down. It is rightly said that our dreams and our imagination mirror our own insecurities.

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Once upon a time in India, there lived a very learned sage. His Aashram was one of the best in India, had the best students. Among these students was the Prince of the Land, son of the King. One day, the King approaches the Sage requesting permission to take his son away from Aashram for a while, to attend one of the best celebration organized by the King. Though against the Aashram rules, the Sage accepts the request and agrees to let the Prince attend the celebration. The King, happy with the Sage, goes to the Prince's hut to take him to the Royal Palace. The Prince, on hearing his father, refuses coming along. He states "Though the Teacher (Sage) has shown courtesy by permitting me to attend the Celebration, the Knowlege instilled in me by him does not allow me to break the rules of the Aashram. Hence, I will not come with you" The King returns empty handed but proud. When the Sage hears this He smiles, for he was confident about his Teaching and about his Student. It is hard to find such a Student or such a Teacher today.