The Border Guard-Joel Ben Izzy

There was once a Swiss guard who worked at the border of Austria. He had worked at the border of Austria. He had worked there for many years and took great deal of pride in his work.

One morning an Austrian man arrived at the border, riding a bicycle. On the front of the bike was a basket filled with sand. Another guard might have simply waved him through, but the Swiss guard did not. Instead, he brought out a special comb he kept for just such a purpose and began to sift through the sand in the basket. You see, he suspected the Austrian might be a smuggler. Finding nothing but sand, however, he waved the man through.

The same thing happened the next day, and the day after that. Though he never found anything, he kept on looking day after day for thirty years. Finally, one day, the Swiss guard spoke to the Austrian man. “ I must ask you a question, he said, “that has been on my mind many years. This is my last day of work.

Today I shall retire. And all these, I suspect you have been a smuggler. Now I ask you, for I must know- are you indeed a smuggler?’ The Austrian man hesitated, and the Swiss guard reassured him. “Do not worry- I give you my word of honor that I will not prosecute you. But I must know.” “Very well,” said the Austrian.”Then I will tell you- I am indeed a smuggler.” “Ah-ha!” said the guard.” I knew it! But each day I look through your basket and find nothing but son, Tell me, Please, what have you been smuggling?”

“Bicycles.”

Cave friends

A snake and a tortoise lived in a small cave on the hillside. Each went about his own way and had not bothered to make friends with the other. One day as the tortoise was sitting on a grassy slope outside the cave; it suddenly occurred to him that he had no friends. He looked around and saw birds hopping on the grass and a family of hares sunning themselves around their burrow. Sheep grazed little way off and their lambs jumped and played with each other. The tortoise felt left out sad and lonely.

As he sat brooding, the snake returned home after his night out. Seeing his cave mate alone the snake went up to him and asked “hey you look sad, what is the matter?” “Yes, I am,” said the tortoise.” I just realized that I have no friends and I was wondering why.” The tortoises’ answer startled the snake and got him thinking. He realized that he too did not have any friends. Though both of them lived in the same cave they felt aloof and friendless. So they decided to ask their neighbor, the rat to sort out the problem and help them break the ice.

The rat decided to facilitate a discussion between both. “ I am short tempered”, said the snake. And am suspicious and strike out without thinking who I hurt.” “I, On the other hand, do not care for anyone’s’ feelings and do not allow anyone to touch me .” I just withdraw into my shell, before anyone can come too close to me.” “Is that true, now do you want people touching you?” “Actually not, said the tortoise. “if that were true then why I want friends and why do I feel sad that I do not have any?” “I too feel good the way I am, said the snake, but am happy and feel lighter after talking things out. “Maybe, Now that both of you have begun to talk and express your feeling it can be the beginning of a friendship. Perhaps you can learn more about each other and learn from one another,” said the wise and rat and went on his way

From the Yoga Vashishta : Sage Vashishta To Lord Rama Illusion of the Mind….

A young boy asked his nanny to tell him a story and the nanny told him the following story to which the boy listened with great attention.

Once upon a time in a city which does not exist, there were three princes who were brave and happy. Of them two were unborn and the third had not been conceived. Unfortunately all their relatives died. The princes left there native city to go else where. Very soon, unable to bear the heat of the sun, they fell in to a swoon. Their feet were burnt by hot sand. The tips of the grass pierce them. They reached the shades of three trees of which two did not exist and the third had not been planted. After resting for some time and eating the fruits of those trees, they proceeded further.

”Sir, came the reply I am not pregnant and I am in no hurry to deliver but the nurse and midwife who has to rush to help fish to deliver the babies.”

They reached the banks of three rivers; of which two were dry and in the third there was no water. The princes had bath and quenched their thirst in them. Then they reached a huge city which was about to be built. Entering it, they found three places of exceeding beauty. Of them two had not been built at all and the third had no walls. They entered the palaces and found three golden plates; two of them had been broken and the third had been pulverized. They took hold of the one which had been pulverized . They took ninety nine minus one hundred grams of rice and cooked. Then they invited three holy men to be there guests; of them two had no body and the third had no mouth. After these three holy men had eaten there food, the three princes partook of the rest of the food cooked. They were greatly pleased. Thus they lived in that city for a long, long time in peace and joy.

My child this is an extremely beautiful legend:.remember this always, and will grow up into a learned man.

O Rama, when the little boy heard this he was thrilled.

What is known as the creation of the world is no more real than this story of the young boy. This world is nothing but pure hallucination. It is nothing more than an idea. In the infinite consciousness the idea of creation arose; and that is what is.