THE PLIGHT OF A KITE
A boy was flying a colourful kite in an
open space on a windy day. By careful and skilful manipulation of the string
attached to the kite, he could raise it from the ground. Strong winds raised
the kite to greater heights. The boy was glad to see his kite soar up into the
sky. His friends watched his work with wonder.
A small bird was
attracted by the kite’s swift movements. The bird challenged the kite for a
race to reach still greater heights. The kite silently followed the bird but
became almost stationary at a stable height. The bird flew back to investigate
the cause of the kite’s unexpected halt. The bird was surprised to see that the
kite was being pulled by a boy towards him using the string fastened to the
kite. As the bird was not aware of the kite’s mechanism of ascent and
stability, he assumed that it was caught in a trap and that the boy was trying
to capture it. The silly bird decided to rescue the kite from its plight and snapped
the string by a sharp bite with his sleek beak and set it fully free. But the
kite lost its balance, control and stability. Descending haphazardly following
the wind and gravity, it landed on a tall tree. The bird was surprised to see
the kite entangled in the branches of the tree and cried aloud, inviting it to
resume the race. Seeing no response, the bird left the scene, wondering about
the fate of the kite.
The pull on the string is the driving force
behind the kite’s ascent and stability. But to an ignorant person, the string
may appear to hamper the progress of the kite. Adverse conditions in life have
a similar role in shaping our personality and destiny. It is said that
adversity is the best university for our education and training.
Our life is stabilized by the pull of
several strings. The teachings of our religion and Holy Scriptures, the whisper
of our conscience to follow the righteous path, the instructions of our
parents, teachers and other well-wishers and the rules of the state and society
are the strings holding us in a stable state physically, mentally, emotionally and
spiritually. Let us learn that these are not bonds restricting our freedom or
hindrances to our progress. They are essential for our smooth and sustained
progress to perfection and sanctity.
Freedom is not the right to do as we please, but the liberty to do
what we ought to do. Rules are framed to make our freedom full and fair.
Voluntary sacrifice of personal rights is the basis of peaceful social life.
There is no liberty without limitations; no freedom without responsibility.
Commandments of God and the laws of our Nation do not curtail our freedom; they
make our liberty a reality. Cicero said, “We are in bondage to the
law in order that we may be free.”
St.
Peter advises, “Live as free people; do not, however, use your freedom to cover
up any evil, but live as God’s slaves” {1
Peter 2: 16}.
St.
Paul warns us, “Be careful, however, not to let your freedom of action
make those who are weak in the faith fall into sin” {1 Corinthians 8: 9}. “As
for you, my brothers, you were called to be free. But do not let this freedom
become an excuse for letting your physical desires control you. Instead, let
love make you serve one another” {Galatians 5: 13].
……………………………………………………………………..
© By: Prof. Dr. Babu Philip,
Darsana Academy, Kottayam-686001, Kerala, India ( Former Professor, Cochin
University of Science & Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala,
India), Prof. Mrs. Rajamma Babu, Former Professor, St.
Dominic's College, Kanjirappally, Leo. S. John, St.
Antony's Public School, Anakkal, Kanjirappally and Neil John, Maniparambil, Ooriyakunnath, Kunnumbhagom, Kanjirappally,
Kottayam-686507, Kerala, India.
For more moral stories, parables and
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