(I read this at (the witty word wizards blog)… Cat, I asked her if I could add it to the zendictive collection of zen tales and she warmly did not hesitate in saying “Yes” which is what I love about her and those here at WordPress…sharing wisdom! )
(from Cat’s blog… here) For those of you who have not visited Cat’s blog, I highly recommend you read her words and poems filled with wisdom.
The following is a beautiful story, but it is not my story. It touched me deeply when I read it and wanted to share it with you.
“Just up the road from my home is a field, with two horses in it.
From a distance, each horse looks like any other horse.
But if you stop your car, or are walking by, you will notice
something quite amazing.
Looking into the eyes of one horse will disclose that he is blind. His
owner has chosen not to have him put down, but has made a good home for him.
This alone is amazing. If you stand nearby and listen, you will hear
the sound of a bell. Looking around for the source of the sound, you
will see that it comes from the smaller horse in the field.
Attached to the horse’s halter is a small bell. It lets the blind
friend know where the other horse is, so he can follow.
As you stand and watch these two friends, you’ll see that the horse
with the bell is always checking on the blind horse, and that the
blind horse will listen for the bell and then slowly walk to where the other horse is, trusting that he will not be led astray.
When the horse with the bell returns to the shelter of the barn each
evening, it stops occasionally and looks back, Making sure that the blind friend isn’t too far behind to hear the bell.
Like the owners of these two horses, God does not throw us away just because we are not perfect or because we have problems or challenges.
He watches over us and even brings others into our life
To help us when we are in need..
Sometimes we are the blind horse being guided by the little ringing
bell of those who God places in our lives.
Other times we are the guide horse, helping others to find their way.”
“Live simply,
Love generously,
Care deeply,
Speak kindly.”
Author Unknown/ Image source Unknown
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Matthew 15:14
Leave them; they are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”
(I have seen the blind leading the blind. Two men with walking canes outreached, making their way the best they can. Unity in the attempt to reach a destination. They did not allow their handicap to stop them from going where they felt they needed to travel to. Rather, they had the strength and courage to venture out in the world blindly to pursue a goal. I can only imagine what it would be like to go into the world without sight.)
The parable of the blind leading the blind can also relate to a man without vision, insight, knowledge and lacks heart followed by a man who would follow another over a cliff because they have not the sense to make their own way in life. Hence, those with sight will lead the blind.
We know nothing of our universe, little about our solar system and a handful of knowledge about this planet and a tid bit of knowledge about ourselves, the human race. (Do you disagree?) We haven’t a cure for the common cold, have we yet to cure cancers or recreate life in its miraculous form or defeat death and its mysterious grasp on human nature? Are we not the blind leading the blind. Or the blind horse and the guide horse.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I have often said about control…This planet spins through space at 66,000 miles an hour and no one in the drivers seat and you want to say your in control? We are like fleas on a dog and have no way of steering our vessel. There-fore, perhaps we are like the blind-horse and the planet is the guide horse.
I did re-construction on my link (Zen Trails) the page with a list of all stories posted on this blog. I hoped to make it easier for some one (including myself) to find the story they would like to read. Check it out and let me know what you think. (top left)
have an insightful day
15 comments
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December 4, 2011 at 8:41 am
SusanWritesPrecise
So beautiful! Your post brought more than one tear to my eyes.
Thank you
December 4, 2011 at 11:30 am
zendictive
Thanks goes to Catlas, it came from her blog.
I was so taken by the story I had to re-post it. (~_~)
December 4, 2011 at 1:43 pm
Cat Forsley
Beautiful Beautiful !!!! Tears streaming ……
Thank You Cat – Thank You Art ……
the lovely synchros of life ….. amaze me
much love ….
Cat …
December 4, 2011 at 11:40 am
Linda Vernon
After an 18 month separation, I just had my horse moved to a stables close by yesterday. I missed my horse and felt guilty that I had been separated from him for so long. When he got out of the trailer he let me hug his head and give him a big kiss. He hadn’t forgotten me. Today, I open my e-mail and here is this beautiful story. Coincidence? I think not. Thank you for sharing!
December 4, 2011 at 3:00 pm
zendictive
we had three horses when I was growing up, they demand alot of care for being in a pasture (grin) thanks for the read and comment
art~
December 4, 2011 at 1:42 pm
heartofbella
I love the photo of the horses and the story behind it….beautiful. thank you for sharing this post 🙂
December 4, 2011 at 3:01 pm
zendictive
bows (~_~) humble
you are quite welcome
December 4, 2011 at 3:09 pm
Fergiemoto
A wonderfully moving story of genuine care, concern, dedication and trust!!
December 4, 2011 at 5:34 pm
zendictive
I know, when I read it on Cat’s blog … I thought it would fit right in with these other stories. Thanks Fergiemoto…Art~
December 4, 2011 at 7:03 pm
Jackie L. Robinson
Oh, Art – I love this story of these two horses. Shows how capable we are of caring for and loving one another. How beautiful of their owners and of these two creatures to teach us all how to connect to the Divine essence that lives within each one of us. We are capable of so much more than we can ever know. Thank you to you and Cat. xoxo
December 4, 2011 at 7:03 pm
Jackie L. Robinson
Love to see my sweet friend….another ‘Cat’ – Cat Forsley – here. xoxo
December 5, 2011 at 9:36 am
catlas
❤ Art!
December 9, 2011 at 5:22 pm
zendictive
there you are…
thank you Cat for this tale and for your charming way (~_~)
you have been missed…
December 5, 2011 at 12:56 pm
granbee
Art, I am happy to report I found cat’s blog a couple of months ago, thanks to finding you, thanks to AboutZen commenting on one of my first posts. I remember this blind horse post of hers very fondly. Thanks for the additions of your own thoughts here, especially on the issue of “control”. Someone very sensitive and wise seems to be in control; it’s just that we jump around too much to be lead very successfully far too often. While we are clattering around, we cannot hear the tinkling bell from our leader, can we?
December 7, 2011 at 2:37 pm
zumpoems
Thanks catlas and zendictive!