One lion was caught and placed in a large yard surrounded by a high fence. He soon became acquainted with the social life of the other lions who had been there for a long time. The Lions divided into several clubs: political, religious and others, each with its own activities, philosophy, dogma, sacred texts, ideology. Members of the same group met regularly to hate and curse the invaders together, which was all they did - as if hating and cursing the invaders could cause anything to happen. Members of another group met to sing sentimental songs about a future jungle without any fences. They must have been utopians, imaginative creatures who lived out their fantasies. They spared no expense in describing the jungle of the future without any fences; their songs and poems about it were beautiful. They were romantic, utopian creatures with a rich imagination, A. members of the third group met in order to secretly develop plans for violence against members of other groups. These were conspirators. They were not so much against the enslavers as they were against other groups of lions.
Each club tried to attract a newcomer, but something held him back. His hesitation was caused by observations of one particular lion who kept himself solitary and who always seemed to be in deep thought and meditation. And this lion, who was always alone, attracted the newcomer. He had some kind of magnetism: some power, some magical power. The newcomer shyly approached the lone lion and asked him to explain his isolation. This isolation itself apparently gave him charming properties, a certain light around him. After all, people who live in a crowd lose their individuality and their charm; people who live alone always gather around themselves an aura of authority and greatness. This lone lion looked like a king. There was something majestic about him.
“These associations have no meaning,” answered the meditating lion. “These stupid creatures do everything except what is necessary.” I only do the essentials, so one day I'll get out of here. I can give you all the facts that I have discovered.
“But what are these necessary things that you do?” - asked the newcomer.
“Listen carefully,” said the lone lion. — I am studying the nature of the fence. This is the only essential thing in life: to understand the nature of the fence.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru