6 / THE FAST-ASLEEP SHEEP-LION /
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Once upon a time in a jungle, a lioness died soon after giving birth to a cub. The day-old cub, weak and hungry, was found by a flock of sheep grazing on the mountainside nearby. Taking pity on the cub, they took it into their fold. In the constant company of the sheep, the lion cub learnt to feed on grass, bleat like a sheep and even acquired a proper terror of lions.
One day, a lion sprang an attack on the flock. To its astonishment, it saw among the sheep a real lion, bleating and fleeing like the rest! The lion went straight for the squealing cub and dragged him off.
'Please have mercy on this poor sheep!', cried the cub.
The lion realised that the cub had no idea who he really was
- and there was only one way to win his trust.
"Don't worry, I won't eat you. Actually, I'm just a sheep myself. I just look a bit different, that's all", said the lion sweetly. The cub was still suspicious, so to prove his point the lion set him free. But the next day he returned and dragged off the cub again. This time the cub wasn't so afraid, and stayed with the lion a little longer. Day after day this drama went on, and slowly the lion cub began to slip out of its own accord to join his interesting new friend whom he had begun to secretly admire.
On day the lion asked casually, "Why don't we go deeper into the forest and get a drink of water from the river?"
"Oh, no! I'm afraid of all the wild animals!" cried the cub.
You idiot! The moment they see you they'll flee from you instead! thought the lion, but aloud he said, "Don't worry, I'll take care of you."
So they went to the river. Just as the cub stooped to drink, the lion pushed his face over the water, forcing him to see, for the first time, his own reflection.
“You fool, don’t you see who you are! You and I are no different! We are Lions, the Kings of the Jungle!” roared the lion.
In a flash, the cub understood his true nature. After this revelation, no hesitation remained, no confusion, no more fear. He turned and walked proudly with the Lion into his Kingdom.
/ The Master reflects your own inner being. And whether you like it or not, he will show you your true face; he will bring you face to face with the awesome Divine hidden inside you. To do this, he may work in mysterious ways: he may push you, hurt you, cajole you, even deceive you till you are ready for the truth. Are you prepared? /