The Parable of the Rope

Once there was a Seeker who heard of a Holy Hermit living near the top of a mountain.

—I will climb up there, and she may be able to tell me how to get to Paradise.

It was a long climb. After the first day, the pavement gave out. After the second day, the road diminished to a trail. After the third day there was no more trail, so all she could do was to keep climbing up.

Her legs burned, but on the fourth day, she got a second wind, and was very happy and proud of persevering. She had reached the Hermit’s cave!

The Seeker approached.

—Holy Hermit, can you tell me how to get to Paradise? The Hermit looked surprised.

—Certainly, she said. —Follow me.

Now they both climbed, to the very top of the mountain. There was a thick rope hanging down from the clouds.

Credit: Uliya Kurilova

—That is the way to Paradise, said the Hermit. She looked at the Seeker.

—Your legs are okay, but you will need more upper body strength. Come back when you can do 100 push-ups.

The Seeker’s face fell.

Now, this had happened often before, and a Seeker would go away disappointed, and that would be that. But let us imagine in this case that the Seeker goes home and sulks for a month. Then she thinks—Do I have anything better to do? No. I might as well do push-ups.

By the time she can do 50, her whole body feels different. Ordinary chores are now a pleasure because of the opportunity to move her muscles. Everything feels good.

The question is, will she keep at it until she gets to 100? And then, will she go back up the mountain?