This is a new segment on my blog called #StoryoftheMonth. The idea is to bring forward short stories, fables, and anecdotes, that have a moral or insight for the delight of my readers! So, make sure you look out for these stories once every month!
The following story was contributed by my friend and an avid reader of the blog: Unnikrisnan Nair. This story aptly brings home the point that we must be thankful to the Universe for what we have received in life rather than unnecessarily focusing on what we do not have.
This is a widely-shared short story called “The Missing Goat”.
It all started one lazy Sunday afternoon in a small town near Toronto in Canada.
Two school-going friends had planned a mischief!
They rounded up three goats from the neighbourhood and painted the numbers 1, 2 & 4 on their sides.That night they let the goats loose inside their school building.
The next morning, when the authorities entered the school, they could tell that something was wrong.
They saw goat droppings on the stairs and near the entrance.
They soon came to the conclusion that some goats had managed to enter the building and may still be present inside.The authorities launched a search for the goats at once! Everyone was running around the school campus in search of the animals. Eventually, they found the three goats.
But the numbering on the goats’ bodies suggested that there was one missing. They could see that they had: Goat No. 1, Goat No. 2, and Goat No.4. Surely, one more goat was missing and was yet to be caught!
The authorities were worried: Where was Goat No. 3? They spent the entire day looking for Goat No.3. But it was in vain! The school had to declare classes off for the students for the rest of the day. A loose animal in a school would cause even more chaos!
Instead, the teachers, helpers, guards, canteen staff, boys were all busy looking for Goat No. 3, which, obviously, was never found.
Of course, Goat No. 3 did not exist!
Let me extend this analogy.
In our life, there are many among us, who despite having a good life, always keep feeling a “lack of fulfilment.” The truth is that they are looking for this elusive, missing, non-existent Goat No.3!
Whatever the area of their complaint — a relationship, a job, or an unaccomplished goal — the dissatisfaction or the absence of something always tends to be larger than the presence of many other things in life.
Let’s stop worrying about Goat No.3 and count our blessings! Let us have gratitude for what we have and enjoy life in the same spirit.
Life would be so much happier without the worries.
Don’t let the imaginary Goat no. 3 consume your mind and keep you away from happiness.
No matter what, enjoy life with what you have!
MORAL:
“Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance.”
~Eckhart Tolle
Did you like the story? Let me know in the comment section.
Terrific story! Absolutely loved it.
Thank you dear Siddharth….
Sir that is really a lesson for present generation. What a lesson! Sure this story will at-least remind ever What they have.
Thank you Ma’am…..I am happy to see your genuine interest in my blog posts…
Rightly said Sir, the story is simply superb. Our contentment is more precious than anything in this world.
Great comments from a thoughtful reader. Thank you very much dear Jyothi.
Great story with a strong message! It is very important for all of us to have a sense of gratitude towards everything that we have rather than just worrying about what we don’t have.
Yeah….you got it right dear Radha…..we should focus upon counting our blessings rather than thinking of limitations and constraints…..Thank you for your well structured comments.