Mistakes cannot be avoided, but we can learn how to become rich by them. Unless we teach ourselves to fail wisely, we cannot succeed in life gracefully.
Our gratitude should free us; not bind us. Four people were carrying a boat on their head. Someone asked them why they were carrying it. They said, "We are grateful to the boat that helped us cross the river. Our gratitude does not allow us to abandon the boat".
Religion should set us free and not bind us. Many people use religion to hold people in bondage and so kill the spirit of religion. A man fell into a well. He did not drown, as the well was not full. He cried out for help.
A Buddhist monk passing by said to him: "Buddha's last sermon was, we should be a light unto ourselves; since you are not, you have fallen. If I save you, the darkness in you will make you fall again into the well; so create light within and that light will help you come out".
He went away without helping. A little later, a Hindu renunciate passing by said to him: "It is because of your past deeds that you have fallen.
Even if I help you now, your past deeds will make you fall again. Perform a noble act and earn divine approval. Good deeds will help you come out". He, too, walked away.
A disciple of Confucius saw the man in distress. He assured him, "I will definitely help, but first I will go and tell the village authorities how important the teaching of Confucius is.
Confucius teaches that society is more important than indivi-duals. Meanwhile, you keep screaming; it will warn others of the danger of falling into wells. Then the village authorities will ensure that every well is covered properly". He too went away.
The person who happened to come next immediately helped the man out of the well. Then he made a request, "Any time you fall into a well, please call only me and no one else.