The Tale of the Lizard and the Spider

Namaste, Welcome to SAM-VAD (Together In Conversation), as we begin today ‘let us remember this about ‘Attention’.

Our life experience would ultimately amount to whatever we had paid attention to. Attention: is important and most of the times we are so indifferent to it. It is as fundamental as food; and we go blundering about, seeking ways to assuage the craving, instead of learning how to provide ourselves with what we need, sensibly and calmly. Once the mechanism is brought to our attention and we begin to study it, it is as if a veil has been stripped off ordinary life, and we become freer in our action and choices.

This week I bring to your attention a fable titled ‘The Lizard and the Spider’ from the book titled ‘Reflections’. It is a collection of fables, aphorisms and statements that challenge the conditioned mind.

It confronts the reader with unaccustomed perspectives and ideas, in an attempt to set the mind free so as to see how things really are.

The Lizard and the Spider

A lizard and a spider met. The lizard said: “What do you eat?” and the spider replied:

“Flies.”

“So do I,” said the lizard, “it seems that we are suitable companions.”

They set up house together.

One night they were out catching flies. A cat approached. In the instant before it pounced on him, the lizard cried to the spider:

“A cat is going to catch me, what shall I do?”

The spider called back:

“Just spin out some web and make your escape into this tiny hole where I am.”

While the lizard was trying to understand this, the cat caught him.

Statements from ‘Reflections’ by Idries Shah

I am sure that you will enjoy reading this book; you can buy your copy from the following link:

Enjoy reading it with your family, friends and near and dear one’s.

Before concluding today’s episode please pay attention to these words of a Storyteller.

My stories require, at this stage, no extra commentary, imaginings, or guesswork by you, me, or anyone else. The very worst would be that of moralizing. To explain away is to forget. Thus, let the stories which you can remember do their own work by their very diversity. Familiarize yourself with them.

Namaste!