even the gods know ...

Jul 7, 2023

I love this story, taken from the wonderful book 'the magic of metaphor'. Highly recommended for teachers, trainers, thinkers, and mindful musers. 

It wasn’t long after the Gods had created humankind that they began to realise their mistake. The creatures they had created were so adept, so skilful, so full of curiosity and the spirit of inquiry that it was only a matter of time before they would start to challenge the Gods themselves for supremacy.

To ensure their pre-eminence the Gods held a large conference to discuss the issue. Gods were summoned from all over the known and unknown worlds. The debates were long, detailed, and soul-searching.

All the Gods were very clear about one thing. The difference between them and mortals was the difference between the quality of the resources they had. While humans had their egos and were concerned with the external, material aspects of the world, the Gods had spirit, soul, and an understanding of the workings of the inner self.

The danger was that sooner or later the humans would want some of that too. The Gods decided to hide their precious resources. The question was: where? This was the reason for the length and passion of the debates at the Great Conference of the Gods. Some suggested hiding these resources at the top of the highest mountain. But it was realised that sooner or later the humans would scale such a mountain.

And the deepest crater in the deepest ocean would be discovered.

And mines would be sunk into the earth. And the most impenetrable jungles would give up their secrets. And mechanical birds would explore the sky and space.

And the moon and the planets would become tourist destinations. The Gods fell silent as if every avenue had been explored and found wanting.

Until the Littlest God, who had been silent until now, spoke up.

“Why don’t we hide these resources inside each human? They’ll never think to look for them there.”

Source: 'the magic of metaphor: 77 stories for teachers, trainers & thinkers'