THE KEY
My Favourite Mulla Nasrudin Story
By
VIKRAM KARVE
A friend of mine asked me which is my favourite Teaching Story.
Well, here it is - a Mulla Nasrudin Story "THE KEY" - my all time favourite Inspirational Tale:
One blistering afternoon, under the blazing sun, people saw Mulla Nasrudin crawling on his knees in the middle of a road in broad daylight frantically searching for something.
The crowd observed him curiously for some time and then an inquisitive man asked him, “What are you searching for, Mulla?”
“I have lost my key” replied Mulla Nasrudin.
Being of a helping nature the man joined Mulla Nasrudin in searching for the lost key and soon there were a large number of people on all fours searching for the elusive key.
An extensive search was carried out but the key was not found, so someone in the crowd asked Nasrudin, “Mulla, do you remember where you lost the key?”
“I lost the key in basement of my house,” replied Mulla Nasrudin matter-of-factly.
“What? You lost the key in the basement of your house?” the astonished crowd asked, “Then why are you searching for the key over here in the middle of the road?”
“Because there is more light here,” replied the wise Mulla Nasrudin, matter-of-factly.
This short Mulla Nasrudin Teaching Story is symbolic.
Everybody is looking for their key. The key to happiness, the key to bliss, the key to freedom, the key to God, the key to peace, the key to success..
And everyone seems to be searching for their elusive "key" in the wrong places.
Most of us look for the key outside.
The key is sought in Power, Wealth, Fame, Material and Intellectual Achievement, Success, or relationships like love marriage, parenting, friendship, appreciation, approval of others etc, all of which are outside you.
Much light seems outside.
Very few look for the key within.
We must remember that we have lost our key within us and so we nust search for our key indside us by reflection and introspection.
The concept of teaching stories is embodied in the tales of the inimitable Mulla Nasrudin narrated by Sufis to illustrate aspects of human behaviour which are relevant to both our personal and professional lives.
The first step to self-growth is to try to identify yourself in these stories and to acknowledge that you too could be as foolish or as lacking in discernment as the characters in these classic tales.
Once you do this, it will be easy for you to imbibe the wisdom in these tales.
Now let's do an exercise.
Close your eyes and think of this story, reflect, ruminate, carry the story in your mind, identify yourself in the story, create a silence within you and let the story reveal to you its inner depth and meaning.
Which “key” are you looking for…?
The key to happiness, the key to health, the key to bliss, the key to freedom, the key to inner peace and tranquillity, the key to love, the key to God…?
Why are you looking for the key outside when you have lost the key deep inside within you…?
Is it because there is more “light” outside than within you?
Have you found your lost key?
No?
Keep searching. All the Best. May you discover your “key” soon.
Wishing you Enlightenment...!
VIKRAM KARVE
Copyright © Vikram Karve 2011
Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.
I am sure you will like all the 27 stories in my recently published book of short stories COCKTAIL
To order your COCKTAIL please click any of the links below:
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http://www.indiaplaza.in/cocktail-vikram-karve/books/9788191091847.htm
http://www.apkpublishers.com/books/short-stories/cocktail-by-vikram-ka
COCKTAIL ebook
If you prefer reading ebooks on Kindle or your ebook reader, please order Cocktail E-book by clicking the links below:
AMAZON
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Foodie Book: Appetite for a Stroll
http://www.flipkart.com/appetite-stroll-vikram-karve/8190690094-gw23f9
About Vikram Karve
A creative person with a zest for life, Vikram Karve is a retired Naval Officer turned full time writer. Educated at IIT Delhi, ITBHU Varanasi, The Lawrence School Lovedale and Bishops School Pune, Vikram has published two books: COCKTAIL a collection of fiction short stories about relationships (2011) and APPETITE FOR A STROLL a book of Foodie Adventures (2008) and is currently working on his novel and a book of vignettes and short fiction. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories, creative non-fiction articles on a variety of topics including food, travel, philosophy, academics, technology, management, health, pet parenting, teaching stories and self help in magazines and published a large number of professional research papers in journals and edited in-house journals for many years, before the advent of blogging. Vikram has taught at a University as a Professor for almost 14 years and now teaches as a visiting faculty and devotes most of his time to creative writing. Vikram lives in Pune India with his family and muse - his pet dog Sherry with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts.
Vikram Karve Academic and Creative Writing Journal: http://karvediat.blogspot.com
Professional Profile Vikram Karve: http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve
Vikram Karve Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/vikramkarve
Vikram Karve Creative Writing Blog: http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com/blog/posts.htm
Email: vikramkarve@sify.com
vikramkarve@gmail.com
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.
1 comment:
very very true the darkness inside us would never let us find what we have lost within, but your stories and advice will enlighten and give way to light within and nobody would have to search for their lost keys outside.wonderful story.
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