Story telling. The Magic of Metaphor. The Secret of Success

And so the little boy went to his father and said, "Dad! Dad!

What's the secret of success in life?"

His father said, "Son, that's a very difficult question. And I'm not

the one to give you an answer. Why don't you ask your mother?"

So the little boy went to his mother and said, "Mum! Mum! What's

the secret of success in life?"

His mother said, "Son, that's a very difficult question. And I'm not

the one to give you an answer. Why don't you wait till the summer

holidays and go see the Wise One who lives in the castle. The Wise

One is sure to know."

And so the little boy

packed his rucksack with all the things he might need and set

off for the distant castle of the Wise One. He walked the lengths of

deep valleys, climbed across high mountains, crossed fast rivers,

swam broad lakes, and trekked through dense forests until finally

he reached the castle.

In the courtyard he was amazed to find it packed with people of

every description. All were waiting to receive learning and knowledge

from the Wise One. He was surprised that so many people

from so many walks of life could be so interested in learning wisdom.

There were actors, dancers, and painters. There were

lawyers, doctors, and teachers. There were butchers, bakers, and

candlestick makers. There were businesspeople, bankers, and

accountants. There were housewives and househusbands. There

were bus drivers, plumbers, and electricians. There were doctors,

nurses, and people from the social services. There were even some

politicians and academics.

The little boy waited patiently in turn. Finally he arrived before

the Wise One. "Please tell me," he asked, "what is the secret of success

in life?"

"Son," said the Wise One, "that's a very difficult question. And

while I'm thinking of an answer, take time to visit my castle and

appreciate all its wonder and beauty.

As the little boy was about to leave, the Wise One stopped him,

and took out from a concealed cloak pocket a small spoon and a

bottle.

"Just one thing before you go. Thke this spoon and be sure," the

Wise One said, putting two drops of oil from the bottle onto the

spoon, "that under no circumstances you spill these two precious

drops.

"Be back in two hours and I will answer your question."

xxxxxxx

A

Exactly two hours later the little boy returned. The Wise One

asked, "And did you feel the cool texture of my floors, see the

deep richness of my tapestries, inhale the powerful aromas from

my gardens, taste the delicious fare prepared by *y chefs, and

hear the sweet sounds of my musicians?"

The little boy shook his head and said, "No. No. I did none of these

things. But look, I still have the two drops of oil on my spoon."

The Wise One paused for a moment. And then said, "My son,….

Xxxxx

B

… go back again.

This time take all the time you need to appreciate all there is to be

appreciated.T his time use the powers of all your senses to notice

the richness and glory that is around you. And then return once

again, having noticed everything that is remarkable, with the

spoon and the two drops of oil."

And so the little boy revisited the castle. When he returned four

hours later he was ecstatic. His whole body was lithe and fluid, his

eyes shone, his gestures were broad and expansive.

Full of wonder and amazement, he spoke to the Wise One. "Oh it's

wonderful, all so wonderful. I saw the tapestries with their deep

colours and fine details. I heard the rich and mellow strains of the

musicians. I tried each and every one of the mouth-watering tastes

in the kitchens. I smelled each of all the perfumes in the gardens

and orchards; and I felt the cool smoothness of the mosaics on the

soles of my feet. Everything here is completely wonderful."

"Yes indeed it is," said the Wise One. "It is completely wonderful.

But what has become, may I ask, of the drops of oil that were on

your spoon?"

And, of course, in his excitement the little boy had dropped the

precious oil.

"The secret of success in life," said the Wise One, "is really very ….

Xxxxx

C

… simple. In order to absorb, understand, and use the richness of the

world that surrounds you, pay attention through every one of

your five senses, for each is a priceless gift. Only then will you

begin to notice how the whole world conspires to serve you in

reaching whatever it is you want.

And as you begin to discover how to move in the direction you

desire, engaging with all the resources that surround you, you

must equally learn to place your attention with care and flexibility.

so just as you notice how magnificent and wonderful the whole

world is, you must equally never cease to pay attention to the

drops of oil on your spoon."

Primary source: Paolo Coelho, The Alchemist. See bibliography.