556- The Spider and the Box of Wisdom

 

St-Takla.org Image: An Egyptian spider, photo from Alexandria - Photograph by Michael Ghaly for St-Takla.org. صورة في موقع الأنبا تكلا: عنكبوت من العناكب المصرية في الإسكندرية - تصوير مايكل غالي لموقع الأنبا تكلا.

A spider wanted to be the wisest animate. Therefore, he carried a box and traveled to all the countries. He put all the wise sayings he heard in the box. He thus thought himself the wisest being. When he returned to his country, he saw a small pond, so he said, "I'll drink of it for I'm thirsty."

As he looked to the water, he saw a large amount of yellow ripe bananas thus, he rejoiced and said, "I'll eat also."

He went to the water but found nothing. Therefore, he decided to leave the box, which made his head bowing, on the ground. When he threw it, he was able to see the banana tree on the other bank of the pool. On the tree, there was a monkey laughing. The spider asked the monkey, "Why are you laughing?"

"'Cause the box of wisdom made your back bowing thus, you can't see what's above. You can only see what's down; therefore, you see the reflection of the banana tree on the water. Now, if you want to eat, climb the tree."

The spider shook his head saying, "Truly, a man can't be wise through collecting the wise sayings of the others which becomes a burden over one's back making one unable to see what's above. One should experience wisdom for wisdom is a life to be led not mere words."

If you don't live as a Christian, it is worthless to be Christian.

→ English translation of the story here at St-Takla.org: العنكبوت وصندوق الحكمة.

The Travelling Seeds

Short Stories (Stories for the Youth) Books by Father Tadros Yacoub Malaty

I Found Her