An Indian Folklore
The little mouse was almost dead when the sage’s wife rescued it from their cat.
“O poor creature!” muttered the lady while trying to revive it. “I saved you today but who will save you tomorrow? I wish I had the power to change you into a human being!”
The sage who was sitting and watching everything that was happening said: “There is a hymn by which it can be done – and the hymn works only at a rare moment of conjunction among stars which occurs once in a thousand years. You know something…that moment is fast approaching.”
The sage’s wife was elated. She said, “For heaven’s sake, let’s not allow this moment to slip away! Change this helpless rat into a human child.”
“That will protect it from cats and other dangers. But is the mouse really ready for such a change?” wondered the sage.
“I don’t understand your philosophy. Here is a rare moment when you can do a miracle. Moreover, I would love to have a child to care for. Why don’t you make the right use of the occasion?” demanded the lady.
The sage smiled and said, “Well, well, right use or wrong, I’ll do as you say!”
As soon as the rare moment arrived, the sage recited the hymn and sprinkled a little water on the mouse. Lo and behold! The mouse turned into an infant girl.
The sage was amused; his wife was thrilled.
Years passed and the girl grew up into a beautiful maiden. Many young men of the village desired to marry her. But she told the sage and his wife that she will marry only the greatest of all the bridegrooms.
A few days passed as the sage and his wife kept discussing their daughter’s marriage. Then one day the sage told his wife: “You know I keep thinking whether the mouse years back had turned into a human wholly or is it just the body that had changed. Only the physical change means nothing. If the consciousness had not undergone a transformation, no change would be permanent.”
The wife got very angry at her husband’s words and said, “Even after so many years you have your doubts! You are a wise sage. Why don’t you try finding the truth?”
The sage said: “It is not easy to know someone’s inner transformation. Still, it is worth giving it a try.”
Next day the sage called his daughter and asked: “Will you agree to marry the sun?”
“Not a bad choice, unless there is someone greater than him!” the girl observed.
“We may call the cloud greater than the sun, for he alone can deprive him of his shine!” said the sage.
“Cloud is fine, unless there is someone greater than him!” the girl replied.
“Well, greater than the cloud is the wind, for it can drive the cloud away!” said the sage.
“He is fine but is there someone greater than the wind?” asked the girl.
“Greater than the wind is the mountain, for the wind can never disturb it!” replied the sage.
“Mountain is fine, unless, ofcourse, there is someone greater than him!” the girl said.
“Greater than the mountain, ofcourse, is the mouse, for he alone can bore a tunnel through it! And there he goes!” the sage said pointing at a rat.
The would-be bride blushed and hid her face under her foster mother’s saree. She was most willing to embrace the proposal.
The sage summoned the rat – and at once the girl changed into a rat – her love for her would-be bridegroom bringing about that miracle!
The rat couple married and left for their abode
The sage then told his wife: “Do you now realize the need for real inner transformation, a change of consciousness?”
The message of the story is: Change of form and style, however pompous and however elegant, does not ultimately lead one anywhere as long as the consciousness remains unchanged.