The Gatekeeper's Fee

The place: New Deli, India:

An old Indian man sat upon a bolder. He sat at the entrance of a large cave as two torches burned brightly, one on each side of the entrance.

Then, as the sun touched the noonday sky, a young man journeyed past the cave.

Suddenly the young man stopped as if he notices something odd. And turning toward the old man, he asked, "Why do you sit in the hot sun, are there not trees over there for shade?"

The old man quickly stated, "I am the Gatekeeper to the Cave Of Wisdom, so I must remain here to guard the entrance."

The young man scratched his head and then thought for awhile. And when he finally did reply the young man asked, "What wisdom does that cave hold that it is necessary to guard it?"

"The wisdom is mighty and could fall into the wrong hands, evil hands, so it must be guarded at all times," the old man replied.

The young man thought for a while longer and then said, "I am not evil, nor do I have bad intentions, so may I gain passage to obtain this wisdom?"

"You may gain entrance; however, each time you enter you will be given only one thought of wisdom at a time. You may enter once, twice, or three times and you must pay the Gatekeeper fee each time you enter," the Gatekeeper replied.

"And how much is the Gatekeeper fee?"

"Two coins of silver each time that you enter, however, five coins of silver would allow you to enter three times," was the reply.

"I work hard for my coins, so what wisdom could be worth such a cost?" questioned the young man.

The Gatekeeper replied with a smile, "It has been said that Wisdom paid for with hard work is retained, wisdom that is received for free has to be received many times before it is retained, if it is retained at all; but more often than not, it is wasted."

The young man though, and then paid the Gatekeeper five coins of silver. And soon after, he entered the cave.

In a short amount of time the young man exited the cave and complained that no wisdom came to him; he wanted his silver back.

The Gatekeeper laughed and said, "The First Wisdom that is given is always that of "Patience," you did not wait long enough, so you are discontent. Remember, there is wisdom in patience. Learn patience and it will serve you well throughout your lifetime.

Now enter again for the Second Wisdom, and do try to be patient."

So the young man went back into the cave and after a very long time he emerged with yet another complaint.

"Again, I received no wisdom while inside the cave, and I was very patient this time. It is cold, damp, and dark in there and if I had stayed much longer I might have caught pneumonia and died. --- I want my silver back!"

The Gatekeeper laughed again. Then he asked, "Didn't you notice how dark, damp and cold it was in the cave during your first visit inside? The Second Wisdom teaches you to "Always Be Prepared." If you had the second wisdom when you went into the cave the second time, then you would have taken a torch in with you; for light and for warmth.

Now go back into the cave for your Final Wisdom, and take a torch with you this time."

So, for the third and final time the young man entered the cave with both torches in his hands.

The next morning the young man came out of the cave with furry in his eyes and spent torches in his hands.

"I have listened to your explanations long enough!" He exclaimed. "Give me my silver back or I shall take it from you by force!"

The Gatekeeper sat, quietly chanting, with his eyes closed.

Again the young man yelled at the Gatekeeper, there was no visible response.

Suddenly the young man lunged at the Gatekeeper, but the young man soon found himself battered, bruised, and lying in the dirt.

"That is your Third Wisdom," said the Gatekeeper.

"From the moment that you saw me you made the assumption that you could overpower me because I am old and look to be frail. "Never Assume Anything" is your Third Wisdom.

"But what about the cave," the young man meekly questioned? You said that it was the Cave of Wisdom, yet it has taught me nothing. Instead, you have been the teacher all along. I was deceived and have not gotten my silver's worth."

Returning to his bolder, the Gatekeeper replied, "How many Wisdom's did I say you would receive?"

The young man replied, "Three."

Then the Gatekeeper stated, "And you have received three. Am I correct?

The young man nodded his head, "yes."

I never said that the cave would talk to you, that was an Assumption on your part, and had you wisdom you would not have made that mistake. You would have been "Patient" and you would have been "Prepared" with a battery of questions to ask me before you paid the Gatekeeper's fee.

However, because you feel that you did not get your silver's worth, even though you were given all the Wisdom that you paid for, and might I add, it is wisdom that you will never, soon, forget.

So, as a symbol of my good faith I will tell you how to obtain the keys to wisdom's houses, at no additional cost," said the Gatekeeper.

"That's better," grumbled the young man.

The Gatekeeper looked the young man straight, in the eyes, and said, "When life gives you a problem that you have no answer for, ask someone older. Many are houses of wisdom and your question is the key to that house."

D. Thurmond / JEF

01-18-2016

2020