Mahatma

The Old Soul sighed. "My old bones ache."

The Young Child asked the Old Soul, "Soul, why are you always sad?"

The Old Soul replied, "Child, every time I see suffering in the world around me, I take the suffering, and place it within my heart, where I carry it with me."

"Why?"

"You learn not to judge others rather quickly. But greater than that, I think it is a communal reflex. The world can be a very harsh place sometimes, and we all need to bear the suffering together in order to carry it all."

The Young Child looked confused. "But if you can bear other people's pain, why can't you share other people's joy?"

For a moment, the Old Soul smiled. "How can I be happy, when the old widow down the street cries herself asleep every night because of the empty bed beside her?"

"Does your misery relieve the old widow's pain?"

"No, but when our eyes meet, there is a look of understanding. I think it makes the world a less lonely place."

"And when was the last time you looked that widow in the eye?"

"I don't remember."

The Young Child was by now indignant. "You're just making things up. Why can't you be happy?"

The Old Soul sighed. "I've done too much. I don't deserve happiness."

"Well I think you ought to forgive yourself."

"How can I forgive myself for doing something I continue to do?"

The Young Child looked lost for a moment.

"Young Child, defend your innocence. Don't ever give your conscience reason to bother you. A mind at peace is the most valuable thing you can ever own."

"But Old Soul, what could you have done that is so bad that you cannot forgive yourself?"

The Old Soul betrayed a look of fear.

"I know you, Old Soul. You are so kind-hearted, yet you allow yourself no joy. Whatever it is you are doing cannot be so bad that it deserves your life of sorrow, can it?"

Once again the Old Soul remained silent.

"Haven't you ever been happy?"

A twinkle came into the Old Soul's eye. "Oh yes, once. I was so young and naive. But the love I felt... so deep, so... wonderful! alas..."

"Whoever it was must have been a terrible person for not seeing you like I do."

"Oh no, not at all! They were all wonderful people. I love them all very much."

"Then why... oh!" The Young Child jumped as an idea struck her across the face. "You think that if these people, who were so wonderful, rejected you, that the problem must then lie with you."

"No, no, no!" The Old Soul's head shook vigorously. "Sometimes things happen that are nobody's fault."

The Young Child was not deterred. "So you're hiding yourself under a sad face because you're afraid of bad things? You're hiding your heart because you don't want it to be broken again?"

The Old Soul could only look into Young Child's eyes.

"Come on! Old Soul, you're so silly. You're keeping yourself sad just so you'll never have to feel sad again. What is the point in that?"

The Old Soul smiled grimly. "Young Child, keep your conscience clear."

Then with a tearful eye, turned away.