I want to share with you a story about a day when, at first glance, a loving, kind, and empathetic human being lost. But upon looking deeper, it was humanity that truly lost. There are many lessons within this story, hidden behind various elements.
It is up to each of you to discover and reflect on them, so they can genuinely spark the needed change within yourself:
In a small village, there lived a doctor renowned for his kindness. Over his 50 years of life, he built strong relationships with people from all walks of life. His influence spread far and wide, touching every domain imaginable. People sought his help not just for his medical skills but for his compassionate heart. He never turned anyone away, always putting others' needs before his own. People offered him money and goods as rewards, but he always refused. He helped because he genuinely wanted everyone to feel better, to be happy. He found sorrow in others' sadness and happiness in their joy
Opportunities to do business, both within and outside the village, often came his way. Most of these opportunities could have earned him more money than he had ever imagined. But he refused them, understanding that they involved harm to others. He wanted everyone to thrive and believed in earning his wealth through fairness, love, and kindness. Everyone in the village loved him鈥攐r so they said
As time went on, the villagers began to see him as more than just their neighbor. They wanted him to lead them. Seeing the potential to enrich his beloved village, he decided to run for leadership. His opponent was the current leader, a man who had done nothing for the people. This leader ruled through violence and threats, using his power only for his own enrichment. The village lacked basic necessities like water, sewers, and electricity, and unimaginable absences in such times
The campaign was long and grueling, filled with verbal battles between kindness and meanness. The doctor, whom everyone started calling "Kindness," went door to door, speaking to each villager personally. He listened to their stories, their struggles, and their dreams. His vision was of a thriving community where everyone could live in dignity and health.
On the other side, "Meanness," as the current leader was now known, spread fear and lies. He threatened those who showed support for Kindness, promising retribution if they didn鈥檛 vote for him. He bribed the most vulnerable with small amounts of money and false promises, knowing that their desperation might lead them to choose immediate relief over long-term benefits
One evening, Kindness visited a family struggling to make ends meet. The father, a frail man named Andrei, had sold his only cow to pay for his wife鈥檚 medical treatment. Kindness sat with Andrei and his family, listening to their worries
"I know what Meanness offer is tempting," Kindness said, looking into Andrei鈥檚 eyes. "But it鈥檚 temporary. What we can build together will last for generations."
Andrei鈥檚 children clung to their mother, who was too weak to sit up. Andrei nodded, tears in his eyes. "We believe in you, Doctor. We believe in what you stand for."
As the day of the election approached, the village was tense. Kindness continued his efforts, his energy fueled by the hope and support of those who believed in him. Meanwhile, Meanness intensified his threats, and the village was rife with whispers of fear and uncertainty
Finally, the day came for the villagers to choose their next leader. Kindness spent the day spreading love and hope among the people, while Meanness resorted to threats and false promises, offering money to buy votes
As the day ended and votes were counted, both Kindness and Meanness waited breathlessly. The villagers began to gather in front of the building where the votes were tallied. Kindness noticed something unsettling: many faces in the crowd were those who had sold their votes for a pittance. The final result was announced鈥擬eanness had won
Kindness was devastated. It wasn鈥檛 the loss of the title that saddened him; it was the betrayal by the people he had trusted. Those who had supported Kindness were heartbroken, while those who supported Meanness celebrated
But as the celebrations died down and the reality of their choice set in, the village began to feel the true cost of their decision. It wasn鈥檛 just Kindness who had lost that day, nor was it simply a victory for Meanness. In choosing short-term gains and empty promises over compassion and integrity, the villagers had forsaken the very essence of their humanity
In that moment, it became clear that it wasn鈥檛 merely an election that had been lost. When the people chose fear over hope and greed over generosity, humanity lost that day
Thank you!馃尮
Eduard馃尮