
Mongo and the Wise Man
Mongo asked the wise man, “Where are my wings?”
The wise man replied, “First you must attend to that bag of sorrow you drag around.”
Mongo went back to the Path to ponder. Sure enough, he looked behind him and discovered a huge, lumpy sack filled with grief and guilt, regrets and misery, tied firmly to his waist. He took a knife and cut it loose, and immediately felt a stirring between his shoulder blades.
Then Mongo asked the wise man, “Where are my wings?”
The wise man replied, “First you must attend to the constant chaotic chatter in your mind.”
Mongo went back to the Path to ponder. Sure enough, he listened closely and heard an infernal racket, like hundreds of monkeys constantly leaping and chattering inside his head. He took a broom and swept away all the noise and clutter. Finally, his mind was clean and quiet, and he heard a soft rustling.
Then Mongo asked the wise man, “Where are my wings?”
The wise man replied, “First you must attend to the crippling pebbles in your shoes.”
Mongo went back to the Path to ponder. Sure enough, when he took off his shoes, he found two pebbles. In the left shoe was the past, hobbling him with remorse and shame. In the right shoe was the future, hobbling him with anxiety and fear. No wonder he limped and stumbled! He dumped out the pebbles, stood up and walked with ease, feeling light as a feather.
Then Mongo asked the wise man, “Where are my wings?”
The wise man exploded with laughter. The trees and clouds and sky joined in, until it felt as if the entire world were laughing at him. For once, he did not mind being the brunt of a joke. He was too busy exploring these strange new feelings – what was happening to him?
Mongo flew back to the Path to ponder. Then he too began to laugh uproariously. Sure enough, his wings were strong and supple, soft and luminous, gleaming like mother-of-pearl.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleEven wiser than the wise man is the very wise author of this story! I love it, Fuji. It is a lesson and a great message, with wonderful humour, all rolled into a fabulous, entertaining story. 🙂
You are so kind Sandra. I’m thrilled that you enjoyed the story, saw the humor in it and also the message. Thanks for reading and commenting!
I love this Fuji! Such a great message entwined in a beautiful little tale. We are free to choose what burdens us and drags us down.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleWell said, Emily. It is our choices that can enslave us or set us free. Thanks so much for reading and for your kind comment.
Hello! Might sound strange but your stories feel like they always have a purpose. Like they are useful and meaningful without even intending to. Great, that is.
Ah, Lydia. I suppose this particular story did have a purpose. I spent several decades studying Robert Bly, Martin Prechtel, Marion Woodman and other great story-tellers who used myths, legends and ancient stories to help each of us reach our full potential. I suppose those wonderful influences are woven into this story. Thanks so much for your comment!
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleWhat a wonderful parable, Fuji! It reads as a classical, spiritual tale, with all the ingredients for attaining enlightenment. The wings are there, for all of us, but unless we listen to somebody wise and go through the tough cleansing, their effects don’t show and we are not aware of their presence. I love the ending, where the discovery and the surprise is received with a great laughter. Tell me something about… Read more »
Yes, Christer, the Path that Mongo keeps returning to is a sort of path to enlightenment, by whatever name we wish to call it. Letting go is such a key ingredient to attaining “wings”! I think you know these things as well as I do – I read it between the lines of many of your stories and especially your comments. I really don’t know where the name “Mongo” came from. It… Read more »
Really enjoyed this Fuji. The old-school parable style, and especially the pebbles of the past and future being in each of our shoes and impeding our ability to move forward — really precise and sophisticated stuff. Great job!
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleI love the message in your story Fuji and really can’t add more to what everyone else has said, only that your stories continue to inspire.
Wow! It’s philosophical but simple.However the message is so powerful that causes ripples in the pond of a conscience. I loved it!
Hi Fuji! Another delightful tale, with lots to reflect. I like the concept of the ”Path”, could it be the wisdom of our inner voice, yes may be, but it remains open for the reader’s own interpretation. Well thought out, and written Fuji.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleFuji, this story is truly inspired. I wish I could walk this path and shed my baggage. It’s ok letting go of the stuff from the past, but fear of the future can be a real hindrance and not so easy to shed. Your story is beautifully crafted. Extremely good stuff.
Very nice, Fuji. It was excellent. I was excited and on the other hand, I learned many lessons from your story that we should let go of everything that is pulling us down and weighing down our lives.