The Butterfly and the Boy
Once upon a time, in a peaceful garden bathed in sunshine, a young boy named Ravi met the wise Buddha. Curious, Ravi asked why the Buddha spent his days sitting still. The Buddha, with a gentle smile, replied that he found great joy in the quiet, but asked Ravi what he sought in the world.
Ravi’s eyes sparkled as he shared his love for chasing butterflies, their wings like painted flowers dancing in the air. He longed to catch them and hold their beauty close. The Buddha, however, asked if the butterfly enjoyed being held. Ravi paused, unsure.
The Buddha explained that happiness, like the butterfly, cannot be captured. It flutters freely, seeking joy in the moment, not in someone’s grasp. This made Ravi wonder how to find happiness then.
The Buddha pointed to a butterfly resting on a flower. “See,” he said, “the butterfly enjoys the flower’s nectar but doesn’t hold on. It finds joy in the present beauty.”
Ravi, understanding, smiled as the butterfly danced. He realized happiness was like the butterfly, free and joyful. He should be like the flower, offering beauty and appreciating the moment.
The Buddha added, “True happiness comes from letting go, appreciating what is, and finding peace within.” Just like the butterfly found joy in sunlight, Ravi could find it in his own heart.
Ravi, grateful, bowed his head and promised to remember these words. With a joyful laugh, he chased the butterflies, remembering that the greatest joy wasn’t in catching them, but in appreciating their dance.
Moral: Happiness isn’t about clinging to things, but about appreciating them in the present moment and finding inner peace by letting go.
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