Hari and the Secret of the Lotus

 

Long ago, in a beautiful village, there lived a boy named Hari. He was not only curious but also had a compassionate heart. Every day, he would go to the nearby pond to observe the birds and aquatic animals, finding joy in their presence.

One day, he asked his father, "Father, all flowers bloom on the ground. Why does the lotus bloom in the water?"

His father, smiling at the boy, said, "My child, the lotus maintains its beauty and purity even in difficult circumstances. Just as life can sometimes be dirty, one who is pure in heart remains radiant."

Hari was astonished. A question arose in his mind: "How? How does the lotus leave the dirty water and only drink the clean water? If I see it myself, I will understand."

Determined, Hari decided to embark on an adventure. "Tomorrow morning, I will uncover the hidden secret of the pond!" he declared, then went to sleep.

At dawn, as the sun rose, Hari woke up quickly. After bidding his mother farewell and taking food for the journey, he set off for the forest. The forest was extraordinarily beautiful. Birds chirped melodiously, and trees provided ample shade. But as Hari ventured deeper, he encountered a dense, dark area.

"A bit scary," Hari thought. "But if I have to uncover the secret of the lotus, courage is necessary."

As he walked, a deer fawn suddenly appeared and approached him. "Who are you? What are you doing here?" the fawn asked curiously.

Hari, smiling, replied, "I wish to learn about the lotus. Who will reveal the secret of its beauty?"

The fawn chuckled softly. "This is not a simple question. Only those with a pure heart will find the answer. You must go further into the forest."

Hearing this, Hari gathered his courage and continued his journey.

Deeper in the forest, Hari came upon a large pond. The water shimmered, crystal clear. Swans glided gracefully across the surface, and numerous lotuses bloomed atop the water.

Hari, amazed, said, "Such beauty! Yet the water appears both dirty and clean. The lotus never becomes dirty. How?"

At that moment, a white fish emerged from the water. Its scales sparkled, and its eyes gleamed with wisdom. Seeing Hari, the fish smiled and said, "Hello, child! Why do you wish to know about the lotus?"

Hari, filled with excitement, replied, "I want to understand its purity. How does it leave the dirtiness of the water and absorb only the clean?"

The fish nodded and spoke in a deep, soothing voice. "Your question is valid. But the answer lies within your heart. Life is like this pond—there is sorrow, there is pain. Yet the one who is pure in heart sees only the good, leaving behind all impurities."

Hearing the fish's words, Hari became emotional. "Life should also be like the lotus. I, too, will keep my heart pure."

Hari stood by the pond, reflecting for a long time. "Where life is dirty, even there, the one who is pure in heart always remains bright."

With clarity in his mind, he returned home. Upon seeing his mother and father, he shared everything he had experienced.

His father embraced him with love and said, "My child, you have learned the greatest lesson of life. Just as the lotus leaves the dirty water and drinks only the clean, let your heart leave behind impurity and remain pure."

Hari silently took a vow: "I will always keep my heart pure. Whether sorrow or pain comes, I will see only the good."

Thus, Hari gained self-realization and made his life bright, like a lotus blooming in life's pond.

(The End)