Once upon a time, in a far-off land, there was a wise old man who lived in a small hut at the edge of a dense forest. People came from far and wide seeking his advice on various matters of life, for he was known to be wise and learned.
One day, a young man came to the old sage seeking his counsel. The young man was in distress, for he had lost his way in life and didn't know what to do. He had tried various paths, but none seemed to lead him to the happiness and fulfillment he sought.
The old man listened patiently to the young man's woes, and after some reflection, he spoke. "My child," he said, "you are like a bird that has lost its way. You are searching for something outside of yourself, but you will never find it there. True happiness and fulfillment come from within."
The young man was confused. "But how can that be?" he asked. "Everything I have been taught is that happiness comes from success, wealth, and material possessions."
The old sage smiled. "Those are false gods," he said. "They may bring temporary pleasure, but they will never bring lasting happiness. True happiness comes from living a life of meaning and purpose, from following your heart and doing what you were born to do."
The young man thought about this for a while and then asked, "But how do I find my purpose in life?"
The old sage replied, "You already know what it is. It's the thing that makes your heart sing, the thing that you do effortlessly and with joy. It's the thing that you would do even if you weren't paid for it. That is your purpose in life."
The young man was amazed. "But how do you know all this?" he asked.
The old sage smiled again. "Because I too, was once lost like you. But I found my purpose in life, and it has brought me great joy and fulfillment. My purpose is to live a happy and fulfilling life, to love and be loved, and to make a positive impact on the world around me.
And now, I am sharing this wisdom with you, so that you too, may find your way."
He looked at the young man kindly. "It is not knowledge that is important, my son. It is the journey of seeking knowledge that matters. The questions are what drive us forward, what make us grow and learn. And sometimes, the questions are more important than the answers."
The young man thanked the old sage and left the hut feeling lighter and happier than he had in a long time. As he walked through the woods, he felt a newfound sense of purpose and clarity.
With this newfound understanding, he returned home, feeling grateful for the journey he had been on. And from that day on, he lived a life that was true to his heart, and he knew deep down that he had found his purpose in life.
He started to appreciate the little things in life, spent more time with his loved ones, and found that his life was more fulfilling than ever before.
17 марта 2023 г.
© Андрей Тарзалайнен, 2023.