Once upon a time, in a beautiful forest, there lived a wise old oak tree named Ollie. Ollie had seen many changes over the years, from the arrival of new creatures in the forest to the changing of the seasons. He had a unique ability to observe everything happening around him and find the deeper meaning behind it.
One day, a young squirrel named Sammy approached Ollie and asked him, “Why do creatures have to grow old and die? It seems so unfair.”
Ollie listened patiently and replied, “As the embodied soul continually passes, in this body, from boyhood to youth to old age, the soul similarly passes into another body at death. The self-realized soul is not bewildered by such a change.”
Sammy was confused by Ollie’s words and asked him to explain further. Ollie replied, “Everything in this world is temporary. Just like the leaves on my branches, creatures are born, grow, and eventually pass away. But their souls continue on to the next phase of their journey. It is a natural process that we must all accept.”
Sammy thought about Ollie’s words and realized that they held a deeper truth. He realized that he should cherish the time he had and make the most of it.
One day, as Sammy was playing with his friends, a hunter entered the forest with his hunting dogs. The animals in the forest were in danger and needed to find a safe place to hide. Sammy knew that Ollie would have the wisdom to help them.
Sammy ran to Ollie and explained the situation. Ollie remained calm and asked the animals to follow him. He led them to a cave deep in the forest, where they would be safe from the hunter.
The animals were amazed by Ollie’s courage and leadership skills. They thanked him for saving their lives and realized that he was not just a tree, but a true friend.
Years passed, and the animals continued to live in the forest, growing and changing just like the leaves on Ollie’s branches. Sammy grew old and eventually passed away, but Ollie’s wisdom continued to guide the animals.
One day, as Ollie was observing the forest, he realized that his time had come. His branches had grown brittle, and his leaves had begun to fall. It was time for him to pass into another phase of his journey.
The animals gathered around Ollie, and he said to them, “Remember that everything in this world is temporary. Cherish the time you have and make the most of it. And remember, just like me, your souls will continue on to the next phase of your journey.”
The animals were sad to see Ollie go, but they knew that his wisdom would live on in their hearts. They realized that death was not the end, but a new beginning.
And so, the forest continued to grow and change, just like the souls of the creatures that lived within it. They knew that their time on Earth was limited, but that their souls would continue on to the next phase of their journey, just like Ollie had said.
Bhagavad Gita: 2.13
dehino ’smin yathā dehe
kaumāraṁ yauvanaṁ jarā
tathā dehāntara-prāptir
dhīras tatra na muhyati
dehinaḥ—of the embodied; asmin—in this; yathā—as; dehe—in the body; kaumāram—boyhood; yauvanam—youth; jarā—old age; tathā—similarly; dehāntara—transference of the body; prāptiḥ—achievement; dhīraḥ—the sober; tatra—thereupon; na—never; muhyati—deluded.
As the embodied soul continually passes, in this body, from boyhood to youth to old age, the soul similarly passes into another body at death. The self-realized soul is not bewildered by such a change.
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