In a somewhat out-of-the-way village in the Punjâb there dwelt for many
years an old Fakir who was renowned for his wonderful self-denial and
abstemious habits. He was not one, you know, who assumed their garb
merely, but he preached to others of truth and morality, and his
character bore out all he taught. He did not wander about, but took up
his residence in this village, and so, being always there, he came to be
well known, and was often visited by many people from distant parts.
One day another Fakir of the same branch and order as himself, and who
was journeying north, came and claimed friendship with him, and finding
him in a special place where he usually spent his day, sat down near to
him, and talked of the things that concerned them both.
It being near night-fall the old Fakir asked his brother of the same
faith to come as his guest for the night, and to pursue his journey on
the morrow. So they trudged together until they arrived at his hut; but
when the wife saw the guest, and knew that he was going to stay the
night, she grew much displeased with her husband, and very abusive. It
was in vain for the old Fakir to say that his friend was a traveller,
and of his own avocation; the wife refused to be appeased. The guest
finding himself in an awkward position, asked his host whether he had
not better go on his journey at once, or find a refuge somewhere else in
the village for the night, for it gave him great pain to listen to the
angry words of a woman.
“Oh, no!” said the host, “I know she is very ill-tempered and cross, and
frequently gets put out, but I have a great respect for her all the
same, and I must tell you the reason.
“Do you not know that I am widely known as a good man? and in
consequence of this, and of the advice I give, I am visited by people
far and near, and they all flatter and praise me to the skies. Sometimes
I have thought to myself that if this were to continue, I should be in
danger of being proud and puffed up, and so be ruined not only here, but
hereafter. Now this wife of mine, when she fans herself into a passion,
does me real good, and I become quite subdued; and the more turbulent
she becomes the more I control myself and am quiet. So you see there is
a balance established between us, and the effect on me is that it
softens my nature, and I am made more and more what we Fakirs aim to be;
so what I lose in one way, I gain in another and a better way.”
The guest remained the night, and went away the next day deeply
impressed with the wisdom of his friend and brother.
---------------------