A large and beautiful stone, recently removed from the water, lay on a slight elevation above the paved street, in the company of plants of different varieties and colors. And he saw a great many other stones that were collected on the pavement that lay beneath him.
And so he wanted to move down from his place, saying to himself like this
- What should I do here with these plants? I want to live with my brothers.
And, rushing down, he achieved what he wanted. But very little time passed, and the stone began to rejoice at its fate. Around him, the wheels of carts, the iron-shod hooves of horses, and the feet of travelers constantly flashed: this one would turn him over, this one would trample him, sometimes dirt or garbage would cover him. And to this day the poor stone looks in vain at the place from which it left, at the place of a secluded and calm world.
This happens to those who strive to leave the contemplative life for the vain world, the world of people, full of endless troubles and disappointments.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru