The Travelers and the Purse – Aesop’s Fables
On a sunny day, two friends were on a journey when one of them spotted a thick wallet on the ground.
“Today’s my lucky day!” he cheered. “Look at this wallet I found. It’s heavy, must be filled with gold coins.”
“Hey, shouldn’t you say ‘Look at this wallet WE found?’ We’re in this together, right? Both good times and bad,” his friend pointed out.
But the finder was adamant. “I saw it first. It’s mine.”
Just then, a distant shout of “Thieves, stop right there!” reached their ears. A group of people with sticks was closing in on them.
The finder’s face went white. “We’re in trouble if they find that wallet on us,” he whispered.
His friend smirked, “Remember? It’s YOUR wallet. So, YOU are in trouble.”
The lesson? If you don’t want to share the good, don’t expect others to shoulder the bad with you.
What principles and lessons can be learned from the above stories?
Aesop’s fable, “The Travelers and the Purse,” offers a timeless lesson about the essence of true friendship and the perils of selfishness. The narrative reminds us that sharing isn’t just about dividing tangible assets, like money or possessions. It’s about the willingness to be there for one another, both in times of prosperity and adversity. The traveler who found the wallet was quick to claim his newfound wealth but was equally swift in wanting to share the impending danger. His inconsistency highlights a broader societal issue: often, people are eager to share their challenges but reluctant to share their successes. This fable prompts us to reflect on our own behaviors. Do we share our achievements with the same enthusiasm as our challenges? The story emphasizes the importance of consistency in our actions and intentions. Sharing, in its truest sense, is not conditional but a testament to genuine companionship.
