Lessons from the story of Paulo Coelho
Few people have not heard of the world famous Brazilian writer Paulo Coelho. One of his beautiful stories is ‘The Secret of Happiness’. Through symbolization, the narrator makes it clear that the secret of happiness lies in enjoying the beauty of the material world while holding on to spiritual moral values. Katha Vyangyantarena reminds us that man finds happiness in living in harmony with both spiritual and material phenomena. Paraphrase of the story:
A merchant sent his son to a faraway famous sage to learn and understand the secret of happiness. After a very difficult and difficult journey, the son reached the base of the sage. The sage resided in a beautiful and eye-catching palace on a high mountain peak. Apart from him, many people from different parts of the country came there to receive the sage’s advice and receive his blessings.
According to each one’s turn, the sage gave the visitors an opportunity for darshan. He cornered them and searched for information. Finally it was the merchant’s son’s turn. He informed the sage of the purpose of his coming. The son said that his father has sent him to you to know the secret of happiness.
Rubbing his fingers alternately through his long beard, the sage said: “I am a bit busy right now. You go around this palace and come back after two hours. The sage took a small spoon and held it out to him. There were two drops of oil in the spoon. Handing it over to him, the sage said: ” Let this be in your hand. The oil should not splash while walking.”
The merchant’s son climbed and descended the many flights of stairs in the palace-like house. He wandered around the palace for two hours. His whole attention was on the spoon in his hand. He remembered that the sage had instructed to keep the drops of oil in it from spilling. After two hours he came to the sage. He asked: “Do you like the palace?” This is my world.”
He was surprised, unable to answer. He stated that his entire attention was on the drops of oil on the spoon prescribed by the sage.
He suggested again: “Have a drink and come and see.”
Taking the sage’s orders as his head, he set out to see the palace. Even then, he was instructed to keep the small spoon and the drops of oil in his hand. He was mesmerized by the dazzling beauty of the palace. The paintings on the walls, the decorative items, the expensive Persian carpets, the curtains, the lavish banquet, the exquisite food served on golden plates, the garden full of various flowers, the hills around the palace…
He told the sage about the scenes that had captivated him. The sage asked: “Where are the drops of oil in the spoon I gave you?” That’s when he looked at the spoon. It’s completely empty!
The wise man said: “There is only one lesson you need to learn to know the secret of happiness. Enjoy all the beauty in the universe. But still the spoon and two drops of oil should be kept in mind. That is the secret of happiness.
Although the story ends at this climax, many interpretations can be given as to what the storyteller symbolized by the drops of oil said to be kept from being lost. There are those who consider oil drops as a symbol of spirituality and values. Man can live in the material world enjoying the innumerable blessings bestowed by the Creator. He doesn’t have to give it up. It is clear from this story by symbolizing the sound of oil drops that one should not lose the spirituality that brings happiness and peace in this world.
Like a bird with two wings, Islam is a religion that combines spirituality and materiality. There are many verses in the Qur’an that make it clear that material wealth can be enjoyed without sacrificing spirituality. One of them: “Seek success in the Hereafter through what Allah has given you.” And do not forget your portion from this worldly life. Do good as Allah has done good to you. Do not cause trouble in the country. Indeed, Allah does not like those who cause trouble” (Qur’an 28: 77).