253-The Prince and the Beggar Child- Buddhism in daily life

The Prince and the Beggar Child

Buddhist reflections on life

Do you know Mark Twain? In 1881, the English author wrote a historical novel about two boys who looked incredibly alike, and were also born on the same day. One was a beggar child (Tom), the other the son of the King of England (Edward).

Tom's childhood was terrible, his father was poor, brutal and a criminal. He learned to read and write despite all the difficulties, dreaming of a life as a prince, inspired by some books.

Edward, on the other hand, grew up sheltered and without worries, living in his father's palace. The world was open to him, the kingdom was at his feet.

By chance, the two disparate children meet at the palace. On a whim, they exchange clothes. Now Prince Edward is mistaken for the beggar and even thrown out of the palace; the beggar boy Tom is prepared for the coronation after the king's death, while the prince learns the harsh reality of the streets of London.

Both of them keep affirming the confusion, but nobody believes them, they are considered crazy. Prince Edward even has to go to prison, where he feels the full force of the injustice of the time.

On the day of the planned coronation of the beggar child, the confusion is resolved, the real prince becomes king, Tom receives the favor of the new king. The experience as a beggar child made Edward a good king.

SO, WHO DO YOU WANT TO BE? PRINCE OR PAUPER?

Or do you want to realize WHO you really are?

If you were in this situation, what would be your choice, what would you do?

People have no idea who they really are!

Fate can put us in a completely new situation from one moment to the next, events can turn our lives completely upside down in a few moments.

The important thing is to take life as it comes.

Asking "why me?", "why is this happening to me?" is completely useless.

Have you ever imagined to exchange life with someone? How nice it would be if you were "a famous actor", or a "lottery winner".

Rich people dream of a life without responsibility, poor people dream of a life as a "prince".

"What if" brings us nothing, we have to live our life, the thinking of our ego leads to nothing, we have to "silence" the ego.

Have you ever thought about "enlightenment"?

ONLY PERSONALITIES MOVE THE WORLD, NEVER PRINCIPLES

- OSCAR WILDE - IRISH WRITER - 1854 TO 1900

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