Sinner

Baba was sick of all the crimes that he had perpetrated.  He went to the stone deity in the thick of the night and beat his breast crying, “Oh, goddess, I am a sinner.  I am a sinner.  I have stolen everyone’s wealth to make parking lots for my devotees.  Forgive me.”

Baba’s closest disciple, who was always watching his master so that he could sponge up the lessons directly from personal observations, saw what his master was doing and decided to imitate.

Imitation of successful people is the stepping stone to success, says the book, Seven Secrets of Success.  The disciple had the bad habit of reading, you see.

He, the disciple, went to the stone deity in the broad daylight (so that devotees could see) and beat his breast saying, “Oh, goddess, I am sinner.  I am a sinner.  I have been an accomplice in stealing wealth to make parking lots for my master’s devotees.  Forgive me. Forgive me.”  And he beat his breast many times.

The cook had seen both of these.  He was moved indeed.  He too fell prostrate before the deity  saying, “Oh, goddess, I am a sinner.  I have stolen some food for my starving children.  I am a sinner.  Forgive me.  Forgive me.”  He wept.  He wept.

Baba happened to come around when the cook was crying inconsolably.  Purely by chance he came.  Or by the destiny chartered by the stars.  He said, “This is the sin of pride.  See how he is displaying his sin!”