Vinay, a successful banking professional for over 15 years planned to take his time off for 2 days to pay a visit to his grandparents at his hometown even before he takes off for a job overseas. He informed about his plan and was excited to have a reunion with his childhood friends, relatives and family members.
As a contrast, there was no warm welcome from his friends, relatives and the villagers since no one could recognize him after he left the village for his higher education.
But he was lucky enough to receive love and warmth from his grandparents. As usual, Vinay took out his planner for 2 days as he is always used to do in his job and visited all those places like his first school, the farming land, and the village temple and so on.
He did what all he wanted to do in those 2 days but still he didn’t seem to be happy…Vinay was lost in deep thought and started taking a walk around the village since he was not able to sleep….
Vinay’s grandfather was watching him silently and went up to him asking as to what was worrying him?? With a heart of discontent, he revealed that he was not finding fulfillment even after a successful banking career…and then continued…When I had to move from my current role for a new assignment…most of my office colleagues didn’t turn up for my farewell party which I hosted…I was known to be a good task manager and a good business leader….which everyone around me respected for….
Grandpa smiled and even before Vinay could say anything…Grandpa raised a disclaimer that Vinay would listen to him without any questions…Then the grandpa started telling him a story of a silkworm….
Silkworm is a busy insect always wanting to be successful in building of its own cocoon. It takes over 2 months of time to complete one cocoon. Mulberry leaves is the only food that the worm takes in which helps for maintaining a good level of water content in its body….however, the water levels outgrow the size of the worm that it is forced to release out in the form of saliva. This saliva is a thread like substance which is white in color, soft and shining. This thread is nothing but the silk material which the mankind uses. The worm is very happy to build the cocoon around it and is so contended that it does not have to bother or worry about the outside world anymore…The thread is used by the worm to build its cocoon and it resembles a thread bobbin. Post the cocoon is formed, in another 2 weeks of time, the worm transforms into a moth. The moth in order to come out of its own cocoon has to make holes in the silk thread. All this process is closely monitored by the horticulture farmers…and even before the moth can break the cocoon….all cocoons would be collected and are soaked in boiling water….which actually is out of imagination of the worm…
The happiest worm in the world now starts to realize the hot water which is peeping in from the small holes of the cocoon….and within no time….the worm dies due to terrible heat….
After this…the cocoons are collected and are unrolled on a winding bobbin by catching its one end of the thread….which unveils the dead worm which forms the food for eagles and birds..
Grandpa sighs that this is the end of the story…and inquired if Vinay had any questions…
Vinay felt very sad about the silkworm and went blank in his mind for a while….and seemed to his grandpa that he had a lot of questions…as to why the worm had to die….what harm has it done to anyone etc...
Then grandpa slowly whispered….”Silkworm never lived for others”…
All it wanted was a safe cocoon….to be happy on its own without any connection to the outside world.
You did the same thing…you always wanted to be successful but all alone…in your quest for personal excellence, you never took a break for a while to get connected to your childhood friends, relatives and the villagers. So is the case with your colleagues at office. You are successful but you are disconnected…and it came as a shocker to Vinay.
He asked his grandpa as to what can he do to revive this feeling and start living a contented life….The answer was – “Helping others to achieve their dreams would give more happiness than achieving your own dreams”. For this, you need not give your money; you need not put your efforts for them….but
You need to lend your time, because Time is the precious gift someone can receive from you…Give time; lend your ears to listen to their dreams, support them morally to achieve success…and share your experiences and knowledge which might help others to take away some learnings to be successful in their endeavors…
Vinay was so relieved and happy that he hugged his grandpa and thanked him for sharing the story of a silkworm. And soon it was the first light of the day….where he had to catch up with his new way of life….
Vinay was happy, rejuvenated and determined for a new way of life….He then started believing….”Only life lived for others is worth living”…
