Wisdom of a Cobbler

Indian Banyan Tree

There was once a cobbler who lived a simple and honest life. He was a poor man and had to work hard to support his wife and children, but whatever little extra he had, he devoted to the worship of Vishnu, the lord of creation. The man lived beside a huge banyan tree. Like all banyan trees this one had a huge  central trunk, surrounded by smaller trunks which hung down from the branches, putting down fresh roots. The tree was very old and in itself, was just like a small forest. 


One day, as the cobbler worked in the shade of the banyan tree, the great teacher Narada came to visit him. Narada is famous among all Hindus as the personal messenger and friend of Vishnu. He is able to see Vishnu whenever he wants, but he spends most of his time travelling throughout the universe, visiting Vishnu's devotees and instructing them. The cobbler was very happy to receive such an honoured guest. After welcoming him with proper respect he ventured to ask Narada if he had recently seen Vishnu.

"Yes," replied Narada, "I have just been with Him and He has sent me to see you."

The cobbler was amazed to hear that Vishnu had sent Narada to him. No one important ever came to see him - he was only a shoemaker. What possible interest could Vishnu have in him? After some time his curiosity overcame his shyness. "Why did Vishnu want you to see me?"

"He thought you might have some questions."

Vishnu

"Questions?" The cobbler was taken unawares. Narada himself had come to answer his questions! Of course, he did have questions from time to time, but now, with this unique opportunity, his mind went blank! In confusion he racked his brain for something to ask. Suddenly he thought of one. It wasn't very profound, but at least it was a question. "What was Vishnu doing when you saw Him?" he asked.

Now Vishnu knew that the cobbler, although simple-hearted, was really a very special person, and He knew what would happen when Narada suddenly appeared in front of him. Because He knows everything, He also knew the cobbler would ask this exact question. Wanting to teach Narada a lesson, Vishnu had already told him what his answer should be.

"He was threading an elephant through the eye of a needle," Narada replied mysteriously.

"Threading an elephant through the eye of a needle?" the cobbler was surprised for a moment. He hadn't expected that Vishnu would be doing this. "Well, one thing's for sure," he laughed, "Only Vishnu could do that!"

"Surely you don't believe me," smiled Narada, amused at the cobbler's simplicity. He presumed he had given this answer merely to test the cobbler and didn't expect him to believe it. "I don't think even Vishnu could really do that - it's impossible."

"Why can't Vishnu do that?" responded the cobbler, a little taken aback at Narada's lack of faith. "Nothing's impossible for Vishnu. This world is full of His miracles. He makes the sun rise each day. He makes the wind blow. He makes the rivers run and the trees and flowers grow."

The cobbler warmed to his subject. "Look at this," he went on as he bent to the ground and picked up a seed from beneath the banyan tree, "Inside this seed is a banyan tree as big as the one above us. It's just waiting to come out. If Vishnu can squeeze a whole banyan tree into such a tiny seed, surely he can thread an elephant through the eye of a needle!"

Hearing the wisdom of the cobbler's words Narada had to admit that what he said was true. He realised that this man was not the simpleton he had taken him for but was very wise because he could see in everything the hand of God.

The cobbler had the sense of wonder at his environment, which we in this age of science and technology have lost. He could still be surprised at what he saw and could still see the daily miracles. The common everyday things of this world, like the banyan tree seed, are things which we take for granted and do not stop to wonder at. We don't see that really they are miracles.

Although we could explain to the cobbler in modern scientific terms how a seed produces a tree, we would still not understand what he understood, namely the divine presence within the tree and its seed. No matter how believable an explanation science can give for the workings of nature it will always be incomplete because it cannot explain the reason and purpose behind it. 

Science may tell us HOW but it cannot tell us WHY.