The New Preacher
“Even one attentive soul is worth sharing wisdom with in the journey of enlightenment.”
Ramesh Sharma was a dedicated teacher. Upon retiring from his position, he decided to embrace a new path as a holy man, eager to share his philosophical insights with others.
In preparation for his new role, he grew a beard and adopted a suitable attire. Leaving his village behind, he settled in a distant village, taking his place under a tree. The villagers welcomed him warmly, offering fruits and milk as gestures of goodwill.
“Come to me in the afternoon; I will lecture to you,” he announced. Unfortunately, the villagers, being poor farmers, were unable to attend due to their responsibilities in the fields. Only one man, named Ramu, came to listen.
Disheartened by the lack of attendance, the new holy man sighed, “What can I possibly share with just a single listener?”
Ramu, the farmer, replied, “Sir, if I carry fodder to my cowshed and find that only one cow has returned, I don’t hesitate to feed that single cow!”
“Good,” Ramesh Sharma responded, encouraged by the farmer’s perspective. He then commenced his lecture, delving into various branches of philosophy, and continued for two hours.
At the end, he asked Ramu eagerly, “How did you find it?”
“Sir,” the farmer replied thoughtfully, “if I carry fodder for ten cows but only find one, I certainly don’t force the food of ten into that single cow!”
This exchange highlighted not only the dynamics of preaching but also the joy of engaging meaningfully with even a single individual.