The Rose and the Cactus
By Lokanath Mishra
Purna, a young and ambitious man, had it all. He was a son of a wealthy farmer, had a beautiful wife, and a promising career as a bank officer. However, his life took a drastic turn when he started an affair with a young girl in the city where he was posted.
Torn between his love for his wife and his desire for his girlfriend, Purna sought the advice of a wise old man. The wise man listened patiently and then presented Purna with a dilemma.
He held up two pots, one with a beautiful rose and the other with a prickly cactus. “Which one would you choose?” he asked Purna.
Without hesitation, Purna chose the rose. The wise man smiled and said, “You are being hasty and don’t deserve either plant. The rose may look beautiful, but it is fleeting and fragile. The cactus, on the other hand, may not be as pretty, but it is strong and resilient.”
The wise man continued, “Your wife is like the cactus. She knows you inside out and loves you unconditionally. She will stand by you through thick and thin. Your girlfriend, on the other hand, is like the rose. She is beautiful and alluring, but she only wants the good parts of you. She will leave you when things get tough.”
Purna was taken aback by the wise man’s words. He realized that he had been taking his wife for granted and chasing after something that was only superficially attractive.
The wise man’s final words echoed in Purna’s mind, “Don’t forget the value of what you have at home for something less important elsewhere. You may realize your mistake one day, but it will be too late.”
Purna returned home, his heart heavy with regret. He knew that he had to make amends and cherish the love and loyalty of his wife. He vowed to never again take her for granted and to always remember the wise man’s words: “The cactus may not be as pretty, but it is strong and resilient, just like true love.”
