Gautama sat under the shady banyan tree meditating, contemplating the cause of all human misery. After decades of contemplation he arrived at an answer:
“The root cause of all misery is attachment. One’s mind needs be detached from life, like water on a lotus leaf”.
A drought-stricken village buzzed with the news of the enlightening discovery:
“Gautama has found the cause of all misery!”
“Let’s go hear it. Maybe now we can save our failing crops. Our dying cows!”
They all packed to go, except Sudama. He continued to dig a well ,undeterred by the unrelenting sun. Beads of sweat glinting like diamonds, rolled off his torso, like water on a lotus leaf.
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The above 113 word story , set in ancient India, is based on religious quotes on Lotus leaves/water from the Bhagavad Gita and Buddha’s quest for enlightenment.
The ‘Gita’ has a quote which roughly translates to : “One who performs his duty without attachment, surrendering the results unto the Supreme Lord, is unaffected by sinful action, as the lotus leaf is untouched by water.”
This is written in response to the 100 word photo challenge posted by Rochelle Wisoff-Field each week. PHOTO PROMPT – © Santoshwriter
Click on the ‘blue frog’ below to read other amazing takes, that fellow Friday Fictioneers have, on the same photo prompt.
Roots & Water 
I’m not sure if “detachment” from life is the sole answer. The attachment to life, i think, is what keeps us going.
I liked how you used the prompt!
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There is no sole answer…and I wonder if we will know all the answers in our lifetime….meanwhile we have to keep going.
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I loved how you brought to story back to the lotus leaf at the end. How everyone is searching for that ‘one’ answer, while Sudama continues to work away. Great original use of the prompt!
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Thanks Cheryl.
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Excellent story! Yes to what Cheryl said.
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Thanks PJ.
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Like a piece from Herman Hesse: well done.
(the root cause of all human misery is greed b.t.w.)
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Thanks Mick. Maybe the root cause of all humam misery is that not all equally greedy …..we will never know 🙂
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I think Sudama’s solution is going to be more practical. I feel the villagers will be slightly disappointed by Gautama’s solution! Great story.
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Thanks! Philosophy often disappoints when people search for solutions.
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Dear Ansumani,
I’d say that Sudama has the more practical solution. People want easy fixes, don’t they? Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks Rochelle. Many want to beleive in a greater power working miracles than hard work. Sudama is an equally evolved soul like Gautama ,learning wisdom the hard way.
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I wonder if maybe Sudama has learned it by himself.. digging that well and be detached could be the thing.
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You’re right. There are so many paths to learning and Sudama’s was through digging a well , whatever the outcome.
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Kinda reminds of the story where the whole village went to pray for rain, but only a little boy carried an umbrella.
Good job.
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Thanks Karthik.
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Yes, what Björn said. It’s a fascinating take on the prompt, not every wisdom is to be taken literally.
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Thanks!
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Beautifully done with the play on the words “water on a lotus leaf”. An enlightening read indeed.
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Thanks Subroto
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to each according to his truth. sudama’s way of achieving enlightenment is digging a well. i see nothing wrong with that.
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I like this: One’s mind needs be detached from life, like water on a lotus leaf. That would seem like good advice, but I guess different for everyone. Well done.
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Smooth, the detachment/bead of water on the leaf.
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Priceless! But Sudama has got it right.
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It usually takes a lifetime to acquire such detachment, but it’s wise to work on it. We should also try to help our neighbors. Well done. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Sudama – The Karmayogi. Nice one my friend.
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