Theos-Talk Archives (January 1999 Message tl00042)

Here is a parable by K from the book <underline>From Darkness to
Light</underline>

(a compilation of early K writings, now out-of-print):

TOYS

A child

Had arranged on the polished floor

Its toys, neatly and with care.

The drum,

The bugles,

The cannons,

The soldiers,

And an officer with much gold--

Undoubtedly a field-marshall--

The long train

With its polished engine,

A tiny airplane,

A big automobile,

These were on one side.

On the other,

A doll with curly hair,

Dressed in the latest fashion,

Its bare knees showing,

Black polished shoes

With silk stockings.

A little further away,

Men in long coats and top hats,

A bag With a string

To bind them all.

The child had gone.

Then up sprang a man

In long coat, with his hat in hand:

"I represent God,

And all of you listen.

I have discovered

Heaven and Hell.

All who obey

Go to Heaven and to the Paradise of Gods,

But those who disobey

To Hell and to great sorrows.

I know who is fit and worthy of Heaven,

I alone can give spiritual distinctions and spiritual titles,

I alone can make a man happy or unhappy,

I alone can introduce God to you,

I alone know the path to Him,

I am the priest of God."

"I am the protector, the ruler

And the dispenser of life,

I, with my friends the merchants,

Decide to wage wars, to kill and slaughter,

To protect you, my friends, from your enemies.

Our country is above all.

Woe to all who do not kill,

Who do not wear uniform,

Who are unpatriotic -- which I decide.

God is on our side,

He waves the only flag -- our flag--"

Roared the man with the sword and many ribbons.

Then a large fat man spoke quietly:

"You two may say what you please,

I hold the monies.

I am the dispenser of all things,

Of temporal power,

Of cruelty and kindness,

Of progress and evolution,

Without me nothing shall be decided.

I am a man of great wealth,

Thy wealth shalt be the only God,

I have finished."

Then the man whom nobody noticed spoke,

Spoke:

"I can destroy all your Gods,

Your theories and your wealth,

Without me you can do nothing.

You cannot talk to me of God

When I am hungry,

Feed me and I will listen to your Gods.

You cannot make me

Into cannon fodder.

Pay me and excite me

And I shall fight.

You are rich because of me,

I toil for you, suffer for you,

I am your food and your comfort,

Your love and your destroyer,

I am going to strip you of all these,

Now I strike."

Then the lady with bare knees--

"I am laughing

Because each of you thinks

You are the most important.

Glorying in your own importance

Where would you all be without me?

Still in that Heaven or Hell

Of which you spoke, O friend with the long coat.

I am your sister, your mother,

Your wife and your love.

I am on the stage of your bestial amusement,

I bear children--the agony of it--for your pleasure,

I dress showing just enough

For your pleasure,

I paint and make a fool of myself

For your pleasure,

I covet your glances and long for your love,

I desire children without you,

I seek freedom in spite of you,

I struggle to be free of your desires,

To show my equality,

I do things that astonish you,

I shall usurp all your places,

Your honors, your glories.

You worship me,

You desecrate me.

I am woman

But your master."

Then all began to talk,

Advancing this complicated theory and that complicated theory,

This solution and that solution,

Class against class,

Wealth against poverty,

Hungry against the well-fed.

A roar and utter chaos.

The child came back,

Gathered up its toys,

Knocking down one or two

In its hurry.

Then it went out,

Laughing.

               -- J. KRISHNAMURTI