Fable about gratitude
A slave named Kalikokha once escaped from his master and fled to the forest.
As he was wandering about there, he came upon a lion lying down moaning and groaning.
At first, he turned to flee, but finding that the lion did not pursue him, he turned back and went up to it.
As he came near, the lion put out its paw, which was all swollen and bleeding, and Kalikokha found that a huge thorn had got into it, and was causing all the pain.
He pulled out the thorn and bound up the paw of the lion, which was soon able to rise and lick the hand of Kalikokha like a dog.
Then the lion took Kalikokha to his cave, and every day used to bring him meat from which to live.
But shortly afterwards, both Kalikokha and the lion were captured, and the slave was sentenced to be thrown to the lion, after the latter had been kept without food for several days.
The chief and all his court came to see the spectacle, and Kalikokha was led out into the middle of the arena.
Soon the lion was let loose from its den and rushed bounding and roaring towards its victim. But as soon as it came near Kalikokha, it recognised its friend, and fawned upon him, and licked his hands like a friendly dog.
The chief, surprised at this, summoned Kalikokha to him, who told him the whole story. The slave was pardoned and freed, and the lion let loose to its native forest.
Gratitude is the sign of noble souls.
On a personal note, this will be my last entry as I am leaving Nation Publications Limited (NPL) soon to take up a new role elsewhere. Which is why I would like to express my sincere thankfulness to the NPL family and all those who took time to read Weekly Agenda.
It has been an enriching and eye-opening experience working with NPL’s community—I have learnt so much and met some truly inspiring people. After seven unbelievable years, working with amazing people, I am now starting a new chapter.
It was a very difficult decision, leaving NPL, but I had to take an opportunity that does not come round often.
I only wish the best for NPL in the future and will always be eternally grateful to them for getting me to where I am.
To my readers, I wish you all the best and I look forward to staying in touch to seeing you in the future—provided I am not charged with treason or sedition albeit perhaps God already convicted Malawians of the same if the curable diseases we die from, the hunger we are reeling from and the primaeval leadership we are exposed to are anything to go by.
It is said that time is a river and equally columns are just like boats. Only a few endure the testing of time, stick to people’s minds and live to bless the ages following.
Just like Corinthians overtly tells us that the parables have two layers of meaning, Weekly Agenda largely depended on fables which had milk for babies and meat for adults.
The milk was a watered-down reading for infantile minds, and the meat was the true message, accessible only to mature minds.
I am indebted to all readers, and more so to those who furnished me with the leading feedback.
I would like also to thank all whose astute criticisms have saved me from a number of pitfalls and all those whose reactions, of all kinds, spurred me to continue with Weekly Agenda.
Despite all help, many weaknesses no doubt remained, for which I alone was responsible. n
