Jealousy!

Sham S. Misri

Shakespeare called Jealousy a ‘green-eyed monster’ in Othello. Here is a story of extreme jealousy.

Long ago there were two friends. One was blind and the other lame. They didn’t have any family. They lived together and sought alms for their livelihood. They were the perfect complement to each-other. Each made up for the limitations that the other had. The blind would carry the lame on his shoulders while the lame would give directions. Both of them were devout. One day they had a big fight with each other and they both were at each-other’s throats. Luckily, a saint was passing by and heard the commotion. The saint decided to help them. He told them that if they would stop quarreling then he would grant each of them a wish.

The saint went to the blind man first, consoled him and asked the blind man to make a wish. The blind man said, “If you are really a saint of high degree, then, please make the lame man blind as well; this is his punishment.” The saint was shocked to hear this.

The saint then decided to ask the lame man what he wanted as his boon. The lame man said, “O saint father! If you are pleased with my prayers then please cut off the legs of the blind man so that he cannot walk. This is the only boon I seek.” The saint was stunned.

The two friends had the choice to make any wish. They could have asked for anything, but, alas, jealousy blinded them.

Moral: Jealousy degrades a man. It destroys friendship.