In a peaceful pond, surrounded by reeds and vibrant blossoms, lived a young turtle named Charlee. Unlike the other creatures who were content with the rhythm of life, Charlee was always in motion. He swam circles in the water, raced across the banks, and played nonstop with his friends. Charlee was determined to be the fastest, the best, the one who could outpace everyone else always rushing, always striving, never stopping.
But one golden afternoon, as Charlee dashed by in yet another race, an old turtle named Kakaa called to him from the shore. Kakaa was known for his calmness, his quiet wisdom, and the way he always seemed to move at his own gentle pace, no matter what was happening around him.
“Charlee,” Kakaa’s voice was soft but firm, like the gentle breeze that rustled the leaves, “I see you racing through life, but I have something to teach you. It’s called ‘Self-inquiry.’”
Charlee tilted his head, confused. “Self-inquiry? What’s that?”
Kakaa smiled, his eyes filled with years of knowledge. “It’s the art of sitting still , of turning your attention inward. When you sit quietly, you start to listen to the whispers of the world around you. You feel the rhythm of the wind, the pulse of the earth beneath you, and the beat of your own heart. In the stillness, you begin to see what you might have been too busy to notice."
Charlee shifted uneasily. “But Kakaa, I don’t want to sit still! I want to race and play, to be the fastest and the best. I don’t want to waste time sitting around.”
Kakaa chuckled softly, the sound like leaves rustling in the breeze. “I understand, Charlee. But remember, sometimes the greatest strength comes not from moving, but from being still. When you learn to be quiet, you might discover a wisdom and peace that no race could ever give you.”
Charlee wasn’t sure, but he was curious. Maybe Kakaa had something important to say. The next morning, he found a quiet spot by the pond, away from the noise and excitement of his friends. He plopped down on a soft patch of grass, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath.
At first, his mind was a whirlwind, racing faster than he could swim. Thoughts tumbled over each other, louder than the rush of the stream. He felt like jumping up and swimming away. But Kakaa’s words echoed in his mind: “Stay still, Charlee. Be present. Don’t rush.”
So, Charlee stayed.
Gradually, something magical began to happen.
👉The world around him seemed to slow down.
👉 He heard the gentle rustling of leaves in the trees, the soft ripple of the water against the rocks, the chirp of distant birds.
👉 He felt the warmth of the sun kissing his shell, the cool breeze on his face, and a deep, quiet peace began to settle inside of him.
As Charlee sat there, the pond, which had always been a place to race and play, revealed itself to be something much more: a living, breathing world full of hidden wonders. He noticed the shimmer of the water, the delicate flutter of butterflies, and the small, unseen creatures that made the pond their home. The more still he became, the more he saw, the more he felt.
And then, in the stillness, Charlee realized something important: He didn’t have to race, or be the fastest, or outshine everyone else. He was enough, just as he was. In that quiet moment, he felt a peace deeper than any victory or competition could ever bring.
From that day on, Charlee made it a habit to sit in quiet reflection every day. In the stillness, he found strength, a strength that came not from rushing or pushing forward, but from simply being.
Moral of the Story:
In a world that constantly pushes us to do more and go faster, we often forget the power of stillness. When we take the time to pause and reflect, we discover a deeper peace within ourselves and that’s where true strength and wisdom lie.
