The key to happiness, a beautiful oriental tale

This old oriental tale tells us that in the beginning of time there was a gathering of all the gods and that it was in the middle of a pleasant chat when it occurred to them to create the universe. Each of them had a different specialty, so they divided the tasks and decided to meet again to see how things were going.

The gods of light began to create the stars and all the shining objects in the universe. They were so fascinated that they created first a few, then hundreds, and then thousands and millions. They were truly beautiful and looked spectacular when contrasted against the black of nothingness.

The gods of the depths did not want to be left behind. So they designed the planets and, within some of them, deep oceans. One of the gods thought it would be great to create seas of fire, but the others thought it might be dangerous. So they finally created them, but left them stored inside some mountains. From time to time they would let them out to illuminate the entire panorama.

The creation of life

There was a group of gods in charge of creating life, but they could not agree. The majority thought that the best thing was to make beings that could not think for themselves. It occurred to one that the best thing was to create a small and fleeting life. So he created the mosquito. However, he became so annoying that they decided to send him to planet Earth so that he would not bother them.

According to the eastern tale, another of the gods thought that maybe it would be more fun if it created a way of life that was agile and full of skills, as well as beautiful. So he invented the cat. He was too independent and soon escaped from them, without them knowing where he had gone.

Seeing that, another of the gods felt that it was better to create a being that was kinder and close. That he would accompany the gods wherever they went and not run away at the first opportunity, like the cat had done. That’s how she thought of the dog and created it. All the gods loved dogs, but, according to the Eastern tale, one of them was upset that he couldn’t think, that he couldn’t speak.

The man in the eastern tale

The god who was dissatisfied with the life forms that his companions had created decided to think about everything a little better. It took a few centuries. In the end he decided to create a being, as perfect as possible. He would give you an intelligence so I could think and a heart so I could feel. He thought that there was no point in creating a universe if there was no one capable of admiring it and understanding its meaning.

It was then that this god created man. He was very like the gods. Once he did it, everyone saw that the new being was disoriented.. He didn’t know what to do, or how to exist. Then it occurred to another of the gods to give him the gift of happiness so that he would not be so restless.

When he did, the man lay down peacefully in a meadow and stared at the stars. Several centuries passed and he did not move from there.. Was not doing anyhting. So that? She was eternally happy. In her heart there was joy and she didn’t need anything else.

The keys to happiness

Seeing this, the creator god of man thought that his companion had made a mistake. Giving complete happiness to man only made him passive, who did not make use of the intelligence or sensitivity with which he was endowed.. The eastern tale says that, then, an idea occurred to him. He didn’t want to take away the man’s happiness, but maybe it would be good to hide it. Thus the man would see the need to look for it and would leave that unhealthy passivity.

The other gods loved the idea. One of them proposed that happiness be locked in a chest and that the keys to it be hidden. The others agreed, but they did not know where to put the chest, nor where the keys that opened it. According to the eastern tale, some said that it was best to put everything at the bottom of the seas. Others thought it was better to do it in heaven. The others said that in the volcanoes.

The eastern story tells us that there was a long discussion. In the end, the creator god had another excellent idea. “It is best to hide the chest and keys inside themselves. So they will have to know each other to find them”. Everyone applauded him. Then one of the gods of light said: “Let’s put the chest of happiness in your mind. So you can find it through intelligence”. There was another applause. The god of the depths added: “Let’s keep the keys in your heart. Kindness will show you the way to find them”. Everyone agreed.

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