I was recently reminded of a story I heard growing up. I remember the message and the general plot, but not a lot of the details. With those I take some liberties.
Here is how the story goes:
Three men were out on a mission, each had a lighted candle and they were told to take it on a journey, their purpose being to protect the light of the candle. As the three men go through their journey, they face all sorts of difficulties: strong winds, rainy days, cold nights.
On their journey they came across a village cast all in darkness. The people of the village asked the three men to share their candle light with them so that they would not spend their nights in utter darkness. Two of the men said: We cannot, we are on a mission to protect this light, and have done everything possible to prevent it from snuffing out. We can not risk sharing it with you.
The third man seeing their need shared of his candle light. His candle became a little dimmer.
Continuing on their journey they came across another village in a cold region. They had no fire with which to heat their houses. The people of this village asked the three men to share their candle fire so they could keep warm. Once again the first two said: We cannot, we are on a mission to protect this light, and have done everything possible to prevent it from snuffing out. We can not risk sharing it with you.
The third man seeing their need shares of his candle fire. His candle became a little dimmer.
And so they continued all along the road, stopping at every village. Whatever the need, the first two companion refused to share their light. The third companion always giving from his ever dimming light.
As they continued on their journey. the third companion was doing everything he could to keep his candle alive. They were almost to the end of their journey. But, alas, his candle gave out. He turned to the other two companions and asked them to share the light from their candles. They refused and rebuked him: Your mission was to protect your candle light, but instead you shared it when everyone who had need along the road even though your own candle was almost out. You should have been wiser than that.
When they were at the end of the road, they presented their candles to the judge. The first two, proudly presented their well lit candles saying: We have protected the light of these candles all along the road in the most severe of conditions.
The third companion with head bowed presented his smoldered candle, a thin trail of white smoke rising from the wick. Hid did no say a word.
The judge took the candles from the first two companions and gave them both to the third saying: Well Done.
All three were baffled.
Turning to the first two the judge said: You two have brought me well lit candles, but in your wake, you have only left a trail of darkness.
Pointing to the third companion the judge continued: This man has spread the light of his candle in every village along the road. The light from his candle will shines brightly long after these candles are gone.
Here is how the story goes:
Three men were out on a mission, each had a lighted candle and they were told to take it on a journey, their purpose being to protect the light of the candle. As the three men go through their journey, they face all sorts of difficulties: strong winds, rainy days, cold nights.
On their journey they came across a village cast all in darkness. The people of the village asked the three men to share their candle light with them so that they would not spend their nights in utter darkness. Two of the men said: We cannot, we are on a mission to protect this light, and have done everything possible to prevent it from snuffing out. We can not risk sharing it with you.
The third man seeing their need shared of his candle light. His candle became a little dimmer.
Continuing on their journey they came across another village in a cold region. They had no fire with which to heat their houses. The people of this village asked the three men to share their candle fire so they could keep warm. Once again the first two said: We cannot, we are on a mission to protect this light, and have done everything possible to prevent it from snuffing out. We can not risk sharing it with you.
The third man seeing their need shares of his candle fire. His candle became a little dimmer.
And so they continued all along the road, stopping at every village. Whatever the need, the first two companion refused to share their light. The third companion always giving from his ever dimming light.
As they continued on their journey. the third companion was doing everything he could to keep his candle alive. They were almost to the end of their journey. But, alas, his candle gave out. He turned to the other two companions and asked them to share the light from their candles. They refused and rebuked him: Your mission was to protect your candle light, but instead you shared it when everyone who had need along the road even though your own candle was almost out. You should have been wiser than that.
When they were at the end of the road, they presented their candles to the judge. The first two, proudly presented their well lit candles saying: We have protected the light of these candles all along the road in the most severe of conditions.
The third companion with head bowed presented his smoldered candle, a thin trail of white smoke rising from the wick. Hid did no say a word.
The judge took the candles from the first two companions and gave them both to the third saying: Well Done.
All three were baffled.
Turning to the first two the judge said: You two have brought me well lit candles, but in your wake, you have only left a trail of darkness.
Pointing to the third companion the judge continued: This man has spread the light of his candle in every village along the road. The light from his candle will shines brightly long after these candles are gone.
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