In "Aging: the fulfillment of life," written by Henri J.M. Nouwen and
Walter J. Gaffney, there is a fable regarding the wisdom of the elderly.
Once upon a time, in a tribal village, there was a custom to kill the elderly.
But one young man hid an old man to save him.
When the inhabitants had to erect a log cabin community building, they realized
they didn't know much about wood and the structure might collapse due to their
ineptitude. If so, it would be a great problem.
What should they do? They had killed all the elderly who had knowledge but it
was time for them to listen to the wisdom of the elderly.
Then, the young man who had hid the old man brought him out. Fortunately, the
village people could listen to his advice before building the cabin.
It is true that young people are filled with vitality, energy, new ideas and
various talents, but somehow, they lack wisdom drawn from experience built up
over many years.
Recently, I was collecting round pebbles to make a little foot acupressure
field in the backyard of our chapel.
In the beginning, without thinking that white stones are artificial, I gathered
some and placed them in the garden.
One day, an elderly nun asked me what I was doing. I expressed my intention to
make the foot acupressure field with small and big pebbles. Then, she kindly
said: "Some white stones are harmful to health. That white color is
artificially and chemically made!"
Listening to her, I immediately removed all the white stones and picked up
other natural stones scattered here and there in the yard.
Once, I thought she was very slow and too polite, but at this moment, I was so
grateful for her wise advice. Otherwise, my efforts may have been in vain.
What inspiring and beneficial wisdom the elderly have. As we can find out much
wisdom from them, we can get some intuition from the intertwined roots.
One day, in a homily, I heard that the very reason for the survival of the trees
on windy Mt. Halla, the highest mountain on Jeju Island, is thanks to their
intertwined and twisted roots.
Because of constant sea winds, it is not easy for plants and trees to stand
firm, but the interconnection of their roots gives them the power to sustain
and collaborate with one another. In this way, wisdom is inspired.
Twisted roots
Roots bent in all directions
as much as the steps that have passed.
If the water had overflowed,
you wouldn't have wandered looking for water.
If there had been enough water,
you would have taken root along the waterway.
Struggling for water,
roots being twisted here and there.
So, you are solid without shaking!
Curved, you are infinitely free!
https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/opinion/2020/10/162_296963.html
The Korea Times/ Thoughts of the Times/
Oct. 6 (online), 7 (offline), 2020
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