Thread by @almightykarthik

We all play one role or another in this arena called Life. And our role are not always voluntary or enjoyable. But, there's a reason to 'play fool'. Let me explain with small story.

Playing the Fool

@anexcommie @shreekanth2020 @HelloNNewman @GunduHuDuGa

There once lived a great mathematician in a village outside Ujjain. He was often called by the local king to advice on matters related to the economy. His reputation had spread as far as Taxila in the North and Kanchi in the South.

@RajeAiyer @SriRamya21 @wataboutery

So it hurt him very much when the village headman told him, “You may be a great mathematician who advises the king on economic matters but your son does not know the value of gold or silver.”

@lalitha_jr @NandiniVenkate3 @Speakwithsense1 @jananisampath

The mathematician called his son and asked, “What is more valuable – gold or silver?” “Gold,” said the son. “That is correct. Why is it then that the village headman makes fun of you, claims you do not know the value of gold or silver? He teases me every day.

@Violet_Texts

He mocks me before other village elders as a father who neglects his son. This hurts me. I feel everyone in the village is laughing behind my back because you do not know what is more valuable, gold or silver. Explain this to me, son.”

@rspchary @Kumarsarangapa1 @Kishoreciyer1

So the son of the mathematician told his father the reason why the village headman carried this impression. “Every day on my way to school, the village headman calls me to his house. There, in front of all village elders, he holds out a silver coin in one hand...

and a gold coin in other. He asks me to pick up the more valuable coin. I pick the silver coin. He laughs, the elders jeer, everyone makes fun of me. And then I go to school. This happens every day. That is why they tell you I do not know the value of gold or silver.”

The father was confused. His son knew the value of gold and silver, and yet when asked to choose between a gold coin and silver coin,he always picked the silver coin. “Why don’t you pick up the gold coin?” he asked. In response, the son took the father to his room and...

...showed him a box. In the box were at least a hundred silver coins. Turning to his father, the mathematician’s son said, “The day I pick up the gold coin, the game will stop. They will stop having fun and I will stop making money.”

Sometimes in life, we have to play the fool because our seniors and our peers, and sometimes even our juniors like it. That does not mean we lose in the game of life. It just means allowing others to win in one arena of the game, while we win in the other arena of the game.

We have to choose which arena matters to us and which arenas do not.

At the root is the human desire to feel significant. To feel significant, one often has to demonstrate one is superior to others. This leads to people bragging and putting others down.

@chittukuruvi4

Often this is an emotional need, one that can be quite annoying to onlookers but critical to the one indulging in it. Recognizing this need allows us to endure many an insufferable boss or client or even relations for tht matter. Used well, this endurance does bring dividends.

I know this is not my usual 'Be Positive and do good' story. But, it does give a practical lesson, don't you agree? 😀

Have a great day ahead and enjoy your weekend - at home 😅

Shivoham! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

@BesuraTaansane