The Truth - A Story

There once was a man of moderate means. He heard that, there had arrived a wise man just outside his home town, and decided to visit him hoping to learn something. He set out the next morning towards the hillock where the wise man camped.

On the way, he met a huffing puffing fat man and stopped to ask him directions. The fat man began to curse at the mention of the wise man and so our man walked away and decided to find the wise man himself.

Soon he found the wise man, sat down after making salutations and asked the question he had planned to ask. He asked, “Oh, wise one, what is truth? Where shall I find it?” The wise man replied,” There is only one truth, my child, and that is the word of God.” The man was a little perturbed. He said “But wise one, I have never heard God say anything. I have never seen God.” The wise man replied that in such a case, whatever the scriptures said was the truth. Our man again picked up his courage and said,” But wise one, I am not very learned. I do not know what the scriptures say.”

Then the wise man smiled and said,” There is yet another way of knowing the truth. When in doubt, first close your eyes, pray for a few moments and listen to your conscience. Whatever your conscience says is the truth.” The man was very pleased. This was something he could easily do. He thanked the wise man and was about to leave when, he heard some commotion. A mob was climbing uphill and coming towards them.

The wise man said “Did you notice the greedy looking fat man hurry downhill as you came here? He came to me asking for more ways to make money. I told him that he was a greedy money-lender, exploiting the poor to build his riches and that he should mend his ways. The man instead has instigated the town people against me with lies and is coming here with that mob. Run away to save yourself and I shall do the same.” The man immediately said “But wise one, whatever he said is a lie. You really are a wise man; we can tell the people the truth.”

The wise man smiled and said, “You have one more lesson to learn. What God says is the truth. What the scriptures say is the truth. What your conscience says is the truth, but there is yet another greater truth. What you perceive at that moment as the truth is the only truth. The mob perceives me as a conman; it really believes that is the case. That now is the truth and we have to live with it. Run now my child they are coming.” Saying this, the wise man ran away.