Deep within the jungle was a village where lived an indigenous tribe, completely isolated from what we like to kid ourselves is civilisation.
One day, The Shaman of the tribe was walking past a small pool which was located just outside the village. There he found a young boy stood up to his knees in the water. He was bent over, thrashing about with his hands. Then now and again he would put his face in the water and bring it out again. He then moved to another part of the pool and began the same process.
The Shaman called out to the boy. "What are you doing?" he asked.
"I am looking for my self," said the boy. "My mother told me that if I looked in the pool, then I would be able to see my self."
"Ha ha!" laughed the Shaman. "Come here," he said to the boy. He sat down by the pool and beckoned the boy to sit down next to him. "Sit with me a little while," he continued. "Keep quite still. You need patience. Just watch."
They sat for quite some time until the silt that had been disturbed by the boy's vigorous antics began to once more settle on the bottom of the pool. The surface of the pool became still and calm, mirror-like.
"Now look," said the Shaman.
The boy looked, and for the very first time in his life, he saw his own face. He was overcome with a sense of wonder.
"Remember this lesson," said the Shaman, "when you are fighting with life's troubles and have forgotten who you are. Whenever that happens, always step out and keep still for a while. Remember it. Then the surface of the pool of life will become still and you will see your self reflected in it once more."
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