I came across this post while taking a break from work and thought that its words are so true to this day and age, if not forever! For all of those who have been battling with people who can not look outside societies window through to the other side, this one is for you.
How the path was forged – Paulo Coelho
In issue nr. 106 of Jornalinho, (Portugal), I find a story which teaches us much about that which we choose without thinking:
One day, a calf needed to cross a virgin forest in order to return to its pasture. Being an irrational animal, it forged out a tortuous path full of bends, up and down hills.
The next day, a dog came by and used the same path to cross the forest. Next it was a sheep’s turn, the head of a flock which, upon finding the opening, led its companions through it.
Later, men began using the path: they entered and left, turned to the right, to the left, bent down, deviating obstacles, complaining and cursing – and quite rightly so. But they did nothing to create a different alternative.
After so much use, in the end, the path became a trail along which poor animals toiled under heavy loads, being forced to go three hours to cover a distance which would normally take thirty minutes, had no one chosen to follow the route opened up by the calf.
Many years passed and the trail became the main road of a village, and later the main avenue of a town. Everyone complained about the traffic, because the route it took was the worst possible one.
Meanwhile, the old and wise forest laughed, at seeing how men tend to blindly follow the way already open, without ever asking whether it really is the best choice.
spillay
•16 years ago
OMG!!! You are not going to believe this – I read this only yesterday at Coelho’s blog!!! And what a suprise, to see it again here today! Wow!
Actually, at the moment I am reading one of PC’s book – the Witch of Portobello. Thus, the interest I have for the author….
cordieb
•16 years ago
Go Coelho fans. I’m reading the Witch of Porobello too.
I hadn’t read the cow story yet . . . but it is so true; so many time we follow the wrong path, simply because it’s the only path there or it’s the only path we see others taking. When instead, we should clearly start a new path, which would be so much better for our journey.
BTW, I saw the Rabbit Hole documentary/movie (What the Bleep) this morning. I think there may be 5 parts, not really sure?. When I downloaded it, it said there were five parts. What I looked at appears to have ended. It lasted about 2 hours. Do you know if there are other parts. It was quite provocative – I’ve got to share it with my son.
Thanks for hipping me.
Peace, light and Love,
CordieB.
Vanessa
•16 years ago
Aud: This is a great story, and so true for so many of us. We follow the path that we have seen others take, we follow blindly, either not thinking for ourselves, or not bothering to listen to someone outside of ourselves who may see an easier alternative. Oh, the lessons that we learn along the way in life!!! Thanks, V.
SanityFound
•16 years ago
Spillay – I am yet to read that one so now am green, if you are new to to him you def have to read The Alchemist (if you haven’t already) It is one of the most inspirational books I’ve read in a long time!
Urban Pixie just wrote a post on it The Alchemist talking about the words in the introduction “But if you believe yourself worthy of the things you fought so hard to get, then you become an instrument of God, you help the Soul of the World, and you understand why you are here.” … the whole book is like that!
SanityFound
•16 years ago
Vanessa – Glad you enjoyed it, thought it was so apt! 🙂
SanityFound
•16 years ago
Cordie – sounds like the full movie, its a total of 108 minutes excl credits – unless you are watching the 6 part Down the Rabbit Hole series set, that is 5hrs. Did you download through a torrent?
Glad more people are reading Coelho’s books, they have done much for me in this life, hope you are enjoying this one, as I said I am jealous for I am yet to read it!
Vanessa
•16 years ago
I know nothing of this author, so now I plan on doing some buying!!! I will let you know my thoughts…..
aart
•16 years ago
Hello!
I’m a big fan of Paulo Coelho! You will love this! He’s the first best-selling
author to be distributing for free his works on his blog:
http://www.paulocoelhoblog.com
Have a nice day!
Aart
SanityFound
•16 years ago
Look forward to hearing your views, best one to start off with is definitely The Alchemist, all are excellent though – mind you I haven’t read them all yet!