Once, a monk and his disciples were at the market place watching the bustling activities there. Suddenly, a man appeared with a cow walking behind him. There was a rope around the cow’s neck and the man was holding the other end of it. The monk asked his disciples whether the man was herding the cow or the animal was controlling the man’s movements.
The disciples said in unison, “Since the other end of the rope that binds the cow is with the man, it is him who is controlling the cow.” Hearing this, the monk went near the cow, took out a knife and cut the rope that was around its neck. The cow ran away, and the man followed it hurriedly. The monk asked again who was controlling whom now. The disciples had no doubt that the cow was in control. The wise monk said, “That man’s path would now be determined by the cow.”
Not all strings that bind us pull backwards. There may be some which strengthen and bond well. All relationships survive due to some seen or unseen factors which connect people. The one’s who cannot find out at least one bonding factor, despite all the distasteful encounters or differences, would continue to drift apart.
If there is an inspiration to bond with each other, there is no need of exerting control. Co-existence is the major factor which helps friendships and relationships thrive on a positive note.
