A
very very narrow bridge was improvised connecting two high mountain tops. The
bridge was like a narrow wooden plank slung across the two mountain tops and
had neither railings nor even ropes for protection. From the bridge, looking
below, long way down, ran the treacherous rapids of a mighty river meandering
through giant boulders.
One
day, a mountain goat came along and wanted to go across the bridge to the other
side of the mountain. The goat started walking over the narrow bridge. Mountain
goats are sure-footed animals and are fearless mountain climbers.
At
about the same time, another goat started crossing the bridge from the other
end. The two goats came face to face in the middle of the bridge. The bridge
being very narrow, the two goats could not go past one another. And there was
no way the goats could make about turns. There was absolutely no possibility
that the goats could turn back.
The
second goat spoke arrogantly to the first goat: "You are obstructing my
path. Get out of my way, you silly goat! I am in a hurry to go to the other
side."
The
first goat replied: "I was first to step on to the bridge and therefore I
have the right to cross the bridge first."
The
second goat retorted angrily: "I am the strongest goat around. I have
never lost a fight with other goats. Look at my great big horns and think
again. Either you quickly get out of my way or else…!"
The
two goats started fighting. Their horns locked and it was indeed, a strange
sight to behold. High up above on a narrow bridge two goats could not come to
terms with each other. They threw caution overboard and as a result there
ensued a battle between two fools. Both goats lost their balance and fell to
their certain deaths.
After
one week, by a strange co-incidence, two other goats started crossing the
bridge from the opposite ends. One goat from this end of the bridge and the
other goat from the other end. And the two goats met in the middle of the
bridge.
The first
goat spoke most politely: "I beg your pardon sir! It was too late when I
realised that you were also crossing the bridge from the other end. Anyway, I
am much younger than you are. I have been taught by my parents and by my
teachers that I must respect my elders and that we should be gentle and kind to
all creatures.
Furthermore,
I remember the advice that when confronted with any problem, first offer a
prayer to the Lord and seek His guidance. Problems and solutions always go
together. Think of a bath-towel. If one end of the towel is where problems like
to reside then the other end of the towel is where solutions reside. Both ends
go together wherever the towel goes. Problems and solutions are inseparable.
One has to merely search for the solution. I must first think about a clever
solution."
The
second goat said: "And what might that (solution) be?"
The
first goat said: "Let me sit on this bridge with my head turned to one
side so that you can slowly and carefully step over my back and cross over. I
will then get up and be on my way."
Thus
the two goats crossed the bridge safely.
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