The parable of good and bad deeds

– Indeed, my dear children, not every soul can handle management. It takes centuries of learning because you have to make the right decisions, delegate tasks properly, and make sure a chicken coop doesn't turn into a house! – Grandpa laughed and continued, – long, long ago, just like you, Oscar, I dreamed of building a marvelous castle for myself. So, I began to engage in the affairs of the fair of life, related to construction and furnishing of a home. That's how I learned and got involved in this fascinating endeavor. Let's fly, and I'll show you my grand mansion!

– Let's go! – Mickey joyfully shouted, and they followed Grandpa into his grand house.

It wasn't just a house, it was a true small palace! With light blue walls, majestic white columns, and beautiful capitals. The windows, arranged in straight rows, were crowned with elegant arches, emphasizing the harmony of lines and forms of the palace. The massive main door made of red wood, adorned with carved figurines, beckoned one to step inside the splendid building. Near the entrance stood sculptures of heroes from their fairy-tale world, as if they had come to life, and a beautiful fountain adorned with reliefs, paintings, and intricate stone carvings splashed nearby.

Mickey and Oscar flew alongside Grandpa through the spacious and well-maintained rooms of his grand mansion. Inside, it turned out to be even more spacious and magnificent than it appeared from the outside.

– Grandpa, it seems even bigger, more beautiful, and sturdier from the inside! – Oscar exclaimed in astonishment as he flew through the magnificent hall with a fireplace, admiring the paintings on the walls.

– Yes, Oscar, – Grandpa replied, – not everything can be seen, understood, and felt from the outside. Only by stepping inside the house of life can its beauty and grandeur fully unfold. Many souls in our magical world build their houses of life to appear dull from the outside, as a means of protection, while inside, everything is bright, intriguing, and warm. A soft couch provides comfort, and a wonderful fireplace warms a beloved guest with its heat. But there are castles that appear huge and beautiful on the outside, yet inside, they are empty and cold, with only the eerie howling of the wind throughout the damp halls…

– And I prefer to show off! The bigger and brighter on the outside, the better! – Oscar proudly declared and continued, – well, how else? If the house is big and beautiful, it means its owner is important and noble!

– He may indeed be important and noble, to his credit and praise, – Grandpa replied, – but he may also not be. Rain and storms will put everything in its place and answer the question of whether he is involved in good or bad deeds.

– Judging by the ruins of my castle, it's clear what kind of expert I am! – Oscar laughed and continued his journey through Grandpa's house.

There were no drafts or leaks on the beautiful walls of Grandpa's spacious rooms. It has stood for centuries, delighting its guests and enveloping them with warmth and coziness within its dependable and kind walls.

– Every brick of this house holds its own story, and there are hundreds, if not more, of good deeds behind them, – Grandpa explained.

– Tell us, Grandpa! – Oscar pleaded, – so that I know, and the snakes don't fool me, as they usually do, with their tricks and treats!

– Well, these walls of the spacious living room were particularly challenging for me, – Grandpa said thoughtfully and continued, – I was still learning to build, and the snakes were already swirling around me, twisting and offering their vile schemes at the fair of life. They would suggest «covering up flaws since no one would notice anyway», or «taking construction materials for oneself since no one would count them», or «doing things differently from the instructions to earn more». In short, my dear children, snakes were pushing their own agendas and rotten bricks from all sides, but I managed. After struggling with the holes in my house, I learned and soon received only good bricks for my deeds. I understood that even the slightest bad deed would leave a hole in the wall, and not a small one!

– Yes, Grandpa, experience and steadfastness are crucial in such serious matters, – Mickey agreed, – and please, tell us another story! – he requested.

– Ah, right here, – Grandpa continued, – when we entered the large and cozy guest bedroom, there was a massive hole after a heavy rain! In the middle of the night, the rotten bricks were washed away, and the guests were drenched by the rain! – Grandpa smiled as he reminisced, – Oh, it was quite embarrassing! That's how my own bad actions let down dear guests. It's funny, but my reputation was tarnished, quite literally, and it took a while for those important acquaintances of mine to visit me again.

– I understand you, – Oscar laughed, – I don't pay attention to them anymore! Well, let's find new acquaintances! Oscar said. But after our conversation and the new knowledge you shared with us, Grandpa, and the rule «do unto others as you would have them do unto you», I will think carefully whether it's worth bringing rotten bricks into my home and spoiling relationships with friends and guests.

– Yes, Oscar, think about it, – Grandpa replied and continued wisely, – many are invited, but few are chosen as true friends.

– And for what bad deed, Grandpa, did you receive rotten bricks? – Mickey asked.

– I pondered for a long time back then, – Grandpa thoughtfully replied, – I reviewed past deeds and actions and found a couple of questionable ones that those cursed snakes slipped in – «firing workers for their mistakes» and «cutting corners on expensive tools for work».

– What's wrong with that? – Oscar asked, – If they make mistakes and don't know how, let them go! We'll find new ones! And spending on expensive tools is just wasteful!

– And that's the whole story, – Grandpa said, – experience is needed in all matters to distinguish the good from the bad in each specific case, – Grandpa explained, – that's why we hire new workers, train them, and spend money if we have our own, almost like family, trained workers. We just need to pay them more attention and, after thoroughly understanding the problem, teach them better. And our rule, «Do unto others as you would have them do unto you», will also help us. Oscar, if something didn't work for you, would you want someone to teach you or dismiss you as incompetent?

– Of course, I would want to be educated! And I would want my deeds to be celebrated! – Oscar cheerfully replied.

– And I'm helping you, Oscar, – Grandpa continued, – I'm teaching you to build your reliable home of life instead of dismissing the problem with «figure it out yourself»! But the most important thing is that you also want to learn and grow. Then the learning process will be faster and easier.

– Thank you, Grandpa, for not abandoning me and rescuing me from the clutches of the snakes! – Oscar warmly embraced Grandpa and replied.

Our magical souls continued their tour of the house and entered a small green room with a tiny fireplace. This little room was filled from floor to ceiling with bookshelves, and the count of books was countless, just like in a library. Grandpa took out a jar of delicious raspberry jam from the cupboard and poured everyone a wonderful cup of tea. Enjoying the tasty treats and sipping tea, Grandpa continued telling about his house:

– Now, this small green room is more interesting. It's an important room for me, and I often spend time here with guests, reading books, – Grandpa began, – to build it, I took on the task at the fair of life, «helping with the construction of homes for the less fortunate and underprivileged».

– Do such people exist? Who are they? – Mickey asked.

– In our magical world, anything can happen. Perhaps these are souls that couldn't find themselves and their purpose at the fair of life. And some may be the result of constant devastation from rain and hurricanes, and the lack of understanding about why things turned out that way and what to do. Or maybe it's due to old age, when there is no longer the strength to fly to the fair and engage in deeds, and wisdom wasn't enough to gather the good eternal bricks for their life's home… This house will warm and restore them. It has helped many souls find the strength and knowledge to rebuild their sturdy and everlasting home of life.

– Oh, those snakes! They can drive any soul into poverty and ruin! It's good that there are people like you, Grandpa, who help in times of trouble and problems, – Oscar said, finishing his grandfather's tea and reclining on the soft, cozy couch in this small but kind green room.

Why do they pay so little for good deeds?

Mickey examined the bookshelves with curiosity, trying to find something familiar but couldn't, which intrigued him even more. Meanwhile, Oscar continued to lie on the couch, seemingly comparing something thoughtfully and dissatisfied. It seemed he wanted to ask something important from his grandfather.

– Grandpa, why is the room so small? It seems like it was a good deed – helping many souls! Or was it a quick and simple task? Did they build a small house for the less fortunate? – Oscar suspiciously asked.

– My dear children, we built a magnificent, strong, and spacious house. Many souls from our magical world have visited there, and some still live there with joy and pleasure to this day. I flew to the fair for many years, took on tasks, and helped build it. It was an important and beneficial endeavor for our magical world, – Grandpa answered.

Mickey understood where Oscar was heading and what his question was, which often troubled him as well. Taking an interesting book from the shelf and sitting next to Oscar, he awaited his question to Grandpa, sipping on the sweet tea.

– Grandpa, but it seems like there's a discrepancy! – Oscar suspiciously began, – the house for the less fortunate is big, yet the small green room, built from the bricks of this important and necessary task, is small! Something doesn't add up here! Why do we get paid so little for good deeds and actions at the fair of life? For example, «helping mom clean the floors» costs 2 bricks, but «making up an excuse and not helping mom» costs 20 bricks! Why do we receive fewer bricks for good deeds compared to bad ones? Good things can't be so cheap! – Oscar exclaimed, surprised and disappointed.

– Oh, you are such meticulous and curious detectives! Nothing can be hidden from you! – Grandpa replied with a smile, finishing his cup of tea.

– Of course, we have the right to know! – Oscar proudly responded and laughed.

Even the all-knowing Mickey looked at Grandpa questioningly. Tension filled the air. Everyone awaited an answer. But our grandpa just cleared his throat, stating that the tea had run out, and flew to the kitchen for a fresh batch.

– That's always the way, just when things get interesting, the tea runs out! – Oscar laughed and took advantage of the pause to examine the books on the shelves, choosing one for himself to read.

Having brewed the tea and grabbed a jar of apricot jam, Grandpa returned and settled in his favorite armchair by the fireplace, between the large bookshelves. He poured fresh tea into the children's cups. Meanwhile, Oscar tossed a couple of logs into the beautiful fireplace, stoking the fire vigorously. Squinting from the sparks and smoke, he prepared himself to listen to Grandpa.

– Well, my dear children, – Grandpa began, – your question is very relevant and important, and the answer to it is quite simple despite its mysterious nature. Let me ask you, do you like my house, or rather, my two houses, and the big garden and the lake?

– Of course, we like them! We want something like that too! – Oscar replied, squinting again as he threw another log into the fire.

– So, you see, I am content, and my friends are content too. I have everything I need, and even more. Look, the shed is filled with good bricks, and the cellar is stocked with jars of jam for a whole year ahead. My house and garden have served me for many, many centuries, and I can't even remember how many centuries have passed. And nobody gifted me this or helped me, I did it all myself, using the bricks I earned at the fair of life for my deeds.

– Well, it's all true, Grandpa, but still, why do they pay so little for good deeds? – Oscar persistently asked, not understanding where Grandpa was leading.

– Tell me, Oscar, have you ever seen any holes in my house after the rain or storms? That's right, you haven't seen a single one. So, it turns out that my houses are built with good bricks that I earned through good deeds and actions, right? – Grandpa asked inquisitively.

– That's right, Grandpa, with good bricks, just like my little house, – Mickey answered in place of Oscar.

– And seeing all my wealth, seeing that I have everything and even more, and knowing that it is the result of my good deeds, answer me this simple question: Are we paid too little or is it enough for good deeds?

– Grandpa, well, then I agree, it's enough! – Oscar answered, surprised and joyful, – and maybe they even pay too much if there's no place to put all those good bricks in the full shed!

Mickey and Oscar looked at Grandpa in astonishment. They didn't expect such an answer and fell into deep thought.

– But why does it seem to us that we are paid too little for good deeds? – Mickey asked.

– You're absolutely right, Mickey, – Grandpa replied, finishing his cup of tea, – It's not that we are paid too little for good deeds, but rather that the snakes pay a lot for bad deeds! And as time goes on, they will keep raising their prices, tempting and seducing inexperienced souls.

– Tell me, Oscar, are you paid enough by your snakes for your bad deeds? Is it sufficient? – Grandpa asked.

– Well, enough already! Those snakes aren't mine! And I won't do bad deeds anymore! – Oscar replied with annoyance. He continued, – but what I don't have, that's true. The more they pay, the stronger the ruin!" Oscar answered and laughed bitterly.

– So, it turns out that even for bad deeds, they don't pay us enough if there's always a shortage of bricks! – Grandpa laughed as well, – that's the answer to your question.

– Yes, it's really that simple, – Mickey said, – It means that on the magical sunny factory, we are given exactly as many bricks as we need, and even more. And I already have an excess in my little shed.

Our enchanted souls were very surprised but satisfied with such a simple answer from Grandpa. As they enjoyed the delicious apricot jam, they gazed thoughtfully and with delight at the beautiful flames dancing in Grandpa's fireplace.

Sell or do things yourself at the life fair?

Curious Oscar couldn't contain himself with his questions, drinking cup after cup of tea and depleting the reserves of jam in Grandpa's cellar. After glancing at a book that caught his interest, he continued to ask Grandpa his pressing questions.

– Grandpa, what's better and more profitable, running your own shop or doing good deeds at the fair of life? – entrepreneurial Oscar inquired.

– Running your own shop is a costly but interesting endeavor. Unfortunately, there's a temptation to start trading in bad deeds, and you already understand the consequences for your little house of life, Oscar. And when the sale of good deeds is slow, one feels tempted to sell some misdeed from the snake's list after all, the house needs to be built! And the most important thing is that I won't be the one doing the bad deed! Let others think about who does it. I merely offered and exchanged bricks for it! Who knows, maybe there won't be any more rain! – Grandpa chuckled.

– Yes, I always hoped for that too! – Oscar laughed in response.

– It's very difficult to resist temptation, which is why many merchants at the fair mix their deeds together, – Grandpa continued, – but I, my dear ones, understood this and simply discarded all the snake's pamphlets and only traded in good deeds. I also made sure my employees, the shopkeepers, didn't push anything bad and didn't use my name, hoping to quickly and abundantly receive their share of bricks. It was challenging at first, years went by, but gradually, more and more people started taking deeds and actions from my shop because they realized that rain wouldn't wash away my bricks, and their homes would always be warm and cozy.

– I can't wait for long, so I'd rather do good deeds myself and receive even if it's a small amount, but at least they'll be good and sturdy bricks, – Oscar said.

– Well done, Oscar, – Grandpa said and continued, – besides patience, you also need life experience to determine what you're trading, good deeds or bad, so that you don't get caught on the snake's hook and don't build yourself a sandcastle that will crumble at the first heavenly rain. Of course, we know that for good deeds, the merchant is also paid 'relatively little' in bricks, but they are eternal bricks.

Mickey and Oscar pondered over Grandpa's advice and decided that it was too early for them to open their own shop at the fair. They needed to gain experience first, and then they would see what the future held.

A landmark for life.

After reading books in the green room and finishing all the tea, Mickey and Oscar continued their tour of the house. Grandpa showed them all the rooms and proudly displayed the beautiful paintings hanging in abundance on the walls of the rooms and corridors. They visited the lounge and, of course, the large, spacious, and bright kitchen where Grandpa prepared a delicious lunch for them.

– Grandpa, I've always thought, – Oscar began the conversation as he sat down at the large and beautiful dining table, – that those who have big houses live so well and splendidly! They have parties and balls! – Oscar said with envy and admiration.

– But you had a big castle, didn't you? What about that now? – Mickey asked, placing a spoonful of sour cream into his bowl of hearty borscht. However, Oscar only fell into thoughtful silence in response.

– You've raised an interesting topic, Oscar, – Grandpa said as he sat down at the table, praising his delicious borscht, – we are eternal souls, my children. I've lived for so many years, I can't even remember if it's a thousand or ten thousand years. It's just a matter of perception that it seems like celestial rains and hurricanes visit us frequently. In reality, it varies. We often have light and gentle showers that wash away the bricks and point out the flaws in our house of life. And hurricanes, they may come once every fifty years, or maybe once every hundred years to our magical kingdom. No one knows when it will hit your town or when it will hit my lake. Souls forget about it and build their castles with bad deeds, just to show off and make other inexperienced souls in our magical world jealous. They ignore the showers that wash away the bricks from their life's castles, as if it's meant to be. And these adversities only motivate inexperienced souls to work even harder at the fair of life and earn even more rotten bricks for their bad deeds…

– Yes, Grandpa, you're absolutely right, – Oscar interrupted, – after a shower, all I feel is anger and the desire to fly to the fair of life as quickly as possible. It doesn't matter what tasks I take on, as long as they pay more bricks. I take on any deed without discrimination, just to quickly patch up the holes in my house!

– Yes, Oscar, many people act that way, doing whatever comes their way, without considering others. They disregard and dismiss the main law of «do not do unto others what you do not wish for yourself». They brush it off like an annoying fly, – Grandpa disapprovingly shook his head and continued, – but in reality, the holes in our house of life are a good reason to reflect. Are the deeds we do at the fair of life the right ones? Have we made the right choices in our actions? And the heavenly rain helps us understand by washing away the impurities from our homes.

– With each passing hour, I grow to love the rain more and more, – Oscar joyfully said, asking Grandpa for another serving of delicious borscht.

– Yes, Oscar, the magical rain is our salvation, but not everyone understands this or pays attention. But when the celestial hurricane arrives, it's the final test for all our deeds and actions! No rotten brick can hide from it! Those souls in our magical world who have done good at the fair of life will continue their kind journey, and after the hurricane, they will be in their warm and cozy homes or grand castles. As for the rest, unfortunately, they remain amidst the ruins and start anew. And not just a hundred showers or a dozen hurricanes will pass in the infinite life of our enchanted souls before everyone understands and figures out what is good and what is bad for their house of life.

– So, it turns out that not all owners of big and beautiful castles deserve our envy, admiration, and emulation? – Oscar asked and eagerly began his second dish.

– Yes, Oscar, there are castles made of good bricks, and there are those made of sand. Take my guesthouse, for example. It's as grand as a palace, standing for centuries without being shaken by even a dozen hurricanes, – Grandpa modestly praised his home.

– Then we'll take you as our role model, Grandpa, and you'll be our guide at the fair of life! – Oscar and Mickey simultaneously exclaimed, bursting into laughter.

– That's wonderful, my dear children! I'm pleased with your choice, – Grandpa replied, joining their laughter. He continued, – but remember, the most important thing is not for my palace and beautiful lake garden to be your guides in life, but rather my deeds and actions that have allowed me to possess all of this for centuries to serve.

– Agreed, Grandpa! – Oscar and Mickey replied in unison.

– Get to know the owners of your beloved castles of life more closely, – Grandpa continued, – learn about their deeds and actions. Find out what they do at the fair of life, and then you'll understand whether their castles are made of sand, merely tempting and seducing the inexperienced, or if they are built with good and everlasting bricks. The rain and the hurricane will come and put everyone in their rightful place, some in the puddle and others in the honorable dais, – Grandpa said with a smile.

– The puddle is my favorite spot! – Oscar laughed, – but now, don't expect me to be the butt of your jokes anymore!

– But not all doers of good deeds can be found in beautiful and grand houses like mine, – Grandpa continued, pouring tea for everyone and treating them to dessert, – some souls live their lives, bringing joy to themselves and others through their good deeds and actions, and yet they don't even bother to collect bricks for themselves. They live in ordinary and inconspicuous, yet cozy homes. Finding such souls and gaining their wisdom is not difficult, and we know how to do it—read more books, and there you will encounter them and understand the eternal wisdom of good bricks. Perhaps they will become your guides at the fair of life.

– We have you, Grandpa, – Oscar said, hinting at his reluctance to read books.

– Don't worry, Oscar. Books are fascinating. Once you get into them, you'll enjoy it! – Mickey replied with a smile.

– That's why you shouldn't be surprised or envious of others' castles, – Grandpa continued, – do good deeds, take your time, and everything will come to you as well.

– Grandpa, why didn't you tell us all this earlier? – Oscar asked, sounding a bit offended.

– Children, people have been telling you about these things since your early childhood, but you simply didn't want to listen, – Grandpa answered, – and one more question, Oscar: Have you truly understood everything, and will your own home be as strong and cozy as mine and Mickey's?

– Of course, it will, I'll do my best! – Oscar replied and laughed, – the most important thing is to have the right orientation in life, and then we won't be tempted by rotten sand castles!

There are no better things among the good ones.

– Thank you, Grandpa, for your kind advice! We will remember them and put them into practice, – Oscar happily said. But after thinking for a moment, he unexpectedly asked, – but what should we do about the snakes? Earlier, you told us that evil only begets more evil and that we shouldn't respond to snakes in the same way. However, they won't leave us alone. They'll provoke us to do bad things and tempt us with something new, but bad.