The Touching Story Of The Man And The Crane

It says that long, long ago there was a remote village where a man with long white hair arrived. This specific man was always accompanied by a crane. The man and the crane were a strange couple, especially since these birds do not usually stay close to humans. The man and the crane, however, were inseparable.

The villagers talked about things with each other, and said that the man was very wise. They said he was famous in the region for his great lessons. Despite his fame, the man was very humble.

The man and the crane sat down next to a manger. The bird always went before the man.

The villagers felt their curiosity grow. They moved closer to observe him from a distance, but the old man did not even see them. Only the crane was attentive. Soon the villagers began to bring him food and clothes, because they thought he was defenseless.

The old man and the crane thanked those who helped them with a blessing.

One night a farmer went to the place where the man and the crane were resting. The crane saw the man and flapped its wings to wake its companion. The old man blessed visitors and asked if he could help him with anything.

The farmer sat down in front of the old man and admitted that he had a question. He said he heard the old man was very wise, and wondered if he could answer a question. The old man replied, “No one is wise enough to have all the answers, but if I can help you, I will.”

The farmer said he wanted to know how to open the gates to heaven and the gates to hell. He always wanted access to heaven and never to go to hell. That’s why he needed to know how to open the gates so he could avoid it.

The old man and the crane listened intently. When the farmer was finished, the old man said: “What a foolish question! What a stupid man you are! ”

When he heard this, the farmer became very angry and wanted to beat the old man. The crane intervened and stopped him. It was then that the farmer saw that the old man was blind and that the crane was his guide.

He felt ashamed of wanting to hurt him and his anger disappeared. All he felt was compassion for the defenseless old man, asking for his forgiveness. The old man then said: “Your anger opened the door to hell; your compassion opened the gate to heaven. ”

The farmer was amazed. He knew that the man was indeed a wise teacher. He immediately thanked him for the lesson and went to the whole village to tell what had happened.

After that, many began a long pilgrimage to the old man and the crane. Some wanted answers, others just to be close to the man and the crane to think. They conveyed peace.

One afternoon a young man came to meet the old man and the crane. His attitude was mysterious. He came closer and said in a low voice:

“Teacher, there are people who say bad things about you”

“Wait!” said the old man. “ Are you sure what you came to tell? Did you hear anyone speak ill of me?

The young man thought for a moment and then said:

“No, I did not hear it personally. Something told me it was true… In the village, it is the rumor that flourishes. ”

The old man and the crane remained still for a while. The old man looked thoughtful.

The crane was, as always, by his side, protective and alert. The beautiful bird was grateful to the old man, who had freed her from a trap in the woods. Since then, she became his friend and guide because the man was blind.

After meditating on it for a while, the teacher spoke to the young man who had come to tell about the rumors. He asked:

” This as you told me, is it something that will be good for me or my crane?”

The young man thought for a moment and then said:

“No not really. To be honest, it is probably the exact opposite. What they told people to say about you is something that would bother you. You and also your friend, “ said the young man, looking at the crane.

The old man and the crane remained still for a while. Then the teacher said:

“I have one last question for you. Is it necessary for me to know what people are saying about me and my friend the crane? ”

“No, not really,” said the young man, thinking hard.

“Go then,” said the old man. “If you are not sure of something and are not sure of it, you are not doing any good by telling it. It’s not worth talking about. ”