Parable And Truth

PARABLE AND TRUTH – HEBREW

A rabbi, famed for his learning and his wit, once was asked by his students why he so often illustrated a truth by telling a story.

The rabbi taught that could best explain through a story; a parable about Parable itself. 

There was a time when Truth went among men unadorned, as naked as his name.  

And whoever saw Truth turned away, in fear or in shame, and gave him no welcome.

So Truth wandered through the lands of the earth, rebuffed and unwanted.

One day, most disconsolate, he met Parable strolling along happily in fine and many-colored garb.

“Truth, why do you seem so sad?”  asked Parable cheerfully.

“Because I am so old and ugly that all men avoid me,” replied Truth.

“Nonsense.” laughed Parable.  

“That is not why men avoid you.  Here –borrow some of my clothes and see what happens.”

So Truth donned some of Parable’s lovely garments – and lo, everywhere he went he was welcomed.  

The rabbi smiled. 

For the truth is that men cannot face Truth when he is naked; they much prefer him disguised.

/Leo Rosten

Posted by rosevoc2. July 15, 2015

THE SLAVE AND THE PHILOSOPHER – MOSLEM

A pasha was crossing the sea in a fine ship when a terrible storm arose.  One of the Persian slaves, who had never been off land before, began to weep and moan and cried out in such terror that no one could reassure him.

At last the pasha called out angrily, “Is there no one aboard who can quiet this coward?”

A philosopher, who happened to be on the vessel, said, “With your permission, sir, I think can quiet this man.”

“Proceed,” said the pasha.

The philosopher observed the chattering slave and summoned several sailors.

“Throw him into the water.”

They threw the salve into the water.  He began to drown, thrashing around wildly, and his screams were terrible to hear.

“Now pull him back aboard,” said the philosopher.

The sailors hauled the slave back onto the ship.  He clung to the deck, panting and frightened, but silent.

The pasha impressed but mystified, asked the philosopher, “How do you explain this?”

To which the wise man replied, “Before he had a taste of drowning, he could not appreciate the blessed safety of a ship.”

To the angles in paradise, purgatory is hell;

But to the doomed of hell, purgatory is paradise.

/ Leo Rosten .  Stories From Five Faiths

Posted by RoseVoc2. July 14, 2015

The Wisdom of John – Christian . Leo Rosten

1  The Wisdom of John – Christian

When the beloved Apostle John was getting on in years, his disciples would sit in a circle before him each morning and hear from him a sermon about the life and the teachings of Christ.  Then the disciples would venture forth to preach the gospel, one by one, wherever they could find men to listen.

Each day the young disciples drew from John’s words some central thought; and each day they set out seeking converts and built their message around the thought that John had given them.  Year by year they spread the word and saw the faithful multiply.

One day, it is said, a group of new and eager disciples came to John and asked, “ What truth do you give us now to carry to the people?”

John was silent for a while, and the young men waited expectantly.  At last John spoke.  “Tell the people this:  ‘Children, love ye one another.’”

Disappointment clouded the faces of the young disciples, and they regarded one another unhappily.

“Why do you look disappointed?”asked John.

“We have told the people this before,”  remarked one disciple.

“We have preached love again and again,” said another.

“Can you not give us something new?”  implored a third.

John shook his head.  “No.  Now and always – as old as it will always be new – tell men our Saviour’s true message: ‘Children , love ye one another.’”

/ Leo Rosten

Posted by Rosevoc2.  July 13, 2015.