Play the Battle Drums.

A king had many elephants but one elephant was very powerful, very obedient, sensible and skillful in everything especially his fighting skills. In many wars, he was sent on the battlefield and he used to return only after getting victory for the king. Therefore, he was the most loved elephant of the king.

Time went by and there came a time when the elephant started getting old. Now he was not able to perform as before. Therefore, now the king did not even send him to the battlefield but he still remained as a part of the king's team.

One day the elephant went to a lake to drink water but unfortunately, his feet got stuck in the mud there and he went on sinking. He tried a lot but could not remove himself from the mud. People came to know from the sound of his screams that the elephant was in trouble. The news of the trapped elephant reached the king. All the people, including the king, gathered around the elephant and efforts were carried out to retrieve him. But alas, even after trying for a long time, there was no way out.

At that time, Gautama Buddha was passing by. He stopped and inspected the site of the incident and then suggested to the king that the battle drums should be played around the lake. The listeners felt shocked at the bizarre suggestion and wondered as to how the trapped elephant would come out with the playing of the battle drums. But they could not say anything to Gautama Buddha and started playing the drums.

 

As soon as the drums of war began to be heard, there was a change in the gestures, behaviour and determination of the troubled elephant. 

At first the elephant slowly stood up and then gradually used his force and intelligence and before long, came out of the mud on his own, surprising everyone.

Gautama Buddha smiled and said : "There was no lack of physical ability in the elephant but only the need to infuse enthusiasm, motivation and the will within it was missing. To maintain enthusiasm in life, it is necessary that humans maintain purposeful thinking and do not let despair dominate their thoughts".  

In today's tough times we all need to enthuse ourselves and the people around us with hope and enthusiasm by playing if need be the Battle Drums so that we will again celebrate abundance of joy, health and happiness.

And remember, this too shall pass.

Tailpiece.

Got up around 6, the chores and had breakfast before my morning bath. It was a sunny day and most of the clothes that were wet over the last couple of days was retrieved dry. Phew! It has become an important aspect in one's life during these extremely wet days, especially, when we are living out of our overnighters! 

It was a quiet Sunday.