Vedantic Tales:
The Discipleship of Hari: The Lion

'Yes, sir,' Hari said. 'Please let me stay.'

The lion smiled. 'Come with me.' He led him to a quiet pool among the trees. 'Come close and look with me into the water. What do you see?'

He saw two handsome lions with wide brows and thick golden ruffs around their heads.

'I see two lions,' he answered. 'You and another like you, though smaller.'

'You are that other,' the lion told him. 'That is your reflection. You see, you are a lion.'

Then he explained that Hari was truly a lion and not, as he thought, a sheep. And when he had finished Hari said: 'But, sir, if I am a lion, how does it happen that I am a sheep?'

'You are not a sheep,' the lion said in very distinct and measured tones. 'I have just been telling you: you are a lion.'

'But...' Hari began.

'There is no "but",' the lion roared and stamped on the ground, making the water tremble. Hari also trembled.

'Yes, sir,' he said. To himself, however, he finished the sentence: ... I am a sheep.'

The lion glared at him. 'You want to be a sheep,' he roared. 'Then why did you come here? You might just as well go back. You will be better off.' And he started to walk away.

'Oh, no, sir!' Hari called after him. 'Please, sir.'

The lion returned. 'What do you want?' he asked severely. 'Make up your mind.'

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