(T) Taking the Horse to Market (responding to criticism)
Taking the Horse to Market (from the Panchatantra)
This story indicates how we should be selective in the criticism of which we take note. Taking on board everyone’s opinion can be problematic!
Long ago, in an Indian village, a man wanted to take his horse to market. His son asked if he could go along. The affectionate father set off for the market with his son riding on the horse as he led the horse by the reins.
As they travelled along the road, some people looked at them and laughed, “What a foolish man. His son is so young and healthy, and he is getting on in years. And yet, he is letting his son ride on the horse.”
Being a little sensitive to what people said, the man considered for moment. Then he took his son off the horse. He mounted the horse himself and proceeded once again to the market with his son walking alongside him.
What a cruel man,” a passer-by remarked. “Look at him – a healthy, mature man making his frail son walk while he rides the horse”
The man became perplexed. Then he had a brainwave. Reaching down, he beckoned to his son and lifted him up onto the horse. Thus they continued happily to the market, the two of them riding atop the horse.
“What an unkind man!” a lady exclaimed. “Look at that poor horse with two people riding on it. How callous they are.”
This time the man was almost baffled. Then, in a fit of inspiration, both he and his son both dismounted the horse, and all three walked together.
Then he overheard an onlooker say, “What kind of a crazy man is that? Those two people are walking, yet their horse is obviously healthy and sturdy. Why are they not using it? This is a waste of energy.”
Scratching his head in confusion, the man decided on a final, desperate solution. He sent his son into the forest to fetch some large sticks. Then they tied the horse to the poles, and between them both carried the horse.
All went well until they arrived at the narrow rope bridge crossing the river. It looked rather unsafe, yet they decided they would carefully cross it.
However, as they approached the centre of the bridge, a group of men on the opposite bank stood laughing and pointing fingers at them. “What’s this?” one of them questioned. “There’s a healthy horse. But these two people are carrying it to market.”
The man and his son stopped, glaring at the men in anger. As they did so, the horse struggled from his fetters, falling over the edge of the bridge into the raging waters below.