The Fruit Of Patience
Two hermits were performing penance in a shrine. Naaradji passed that way. One of them asked Naaradji, “Where are you going?” Naaradji replied, “To meet God.” Again he asked, “Please ask him when I shall be emancipated.” Naaradji moved on. The second hermit asked the same question. While coming back, Naaradji passed through the same way and said it to the first hermit, “You will be emancipated after three births.” On hearing this, the hermit was puzzled. He thought, “I have been performing penance for sixty thousand years. Even then, I shall have to wait for three more births.” He abandoned the penance and went back his village.
Naaradji came to second hermit and said, “You will be emancipated but you will have to wait for as many births as the number of leaves in the tree under which you are performing penance.” On hearing this, his heart was filled with joy. He said gladly, “I will be emancipated definitely after a certain period.”
The person who has cultivated the virtue of patience is sure to find his destination. Those who lack this virtue can never attain their goal.