A Bundle of Sorrows

Whenever we go through a difficult time in life, the thought inevitably comes to mind: Why doesn't God see my troubles? Why doesn't He take them away? But happiness and sorrow are a part of our lives. If there is life, there will be troubles.

This story, based on a young man's complaint to God about his troubles, is very interesting and inspiring.

A young man named Morris was struggling with his troubles. He felt that he alone was the most unhappy person in the world. He alone had all the troubles in his life. He complained bitterly to God that God had given him all the sorrows of the world. And then, forgetting everything, he would go to sleep with cotton in his ears.

Morris would pray to God day and night, sometimes blaming God and sometimes cursing himself. God was neither listening to his prayers nor his reproaches. What could poor Morris do? No sooner would one problem end than another one would arise.

One day, before going to sleep, he prayed, "Lord, I'm tired of pleading with you. I don't want to plead anymore. I'm saying this one last time. Please listen to my prayer. If you can't take away my suffering, then at least exchange it for someone who has less suffering than me. If not forever, then at least for a few months. May I also find some relief for a few days."

Now God finally heard Morris's last wish, and that night he saw God in his dream.

God said, "Child, I used to listen to your prayers every day. But I was paying more attention to those who are suffering even more. Well, write down all your troubles in detail on a piece of paper, then make a bundle, and go to the main square of the city and hang it." Morris woke up in a panic. At first, he couldn't believe that God had really come and said all these things to him. Then he thought, what harm is there in trying? Who knows, maybe this might just provide a solution. Following God's command, he wrote down all his problems on separate pieces of paper. He wrote so many that the paper piled up, and he had to bundle it all up. Morris picked up his bundle and headed for the intersection. But upon arriving, he was astonished by the sight.

He saw that a long line of people had already gathered at the intersection, all carrying their own, heavy bundles of sorrows. What was the fuss? He couldn't understand anything. He was lost in these thoughts when a voice from the sky came, ordering everyone to hang their bundles on the pegs at the intersection. Countless pegs were already there. Everyone hung their bundles and waited for God's next command. Shortly after, the voice from the sky rang again, and everyone was told to pick up a bundle they considered lighter than their burden of troubles. Now, they would have to endure the sufferings contained in the new bundle they had chosen.

Upon hearing the voice, everyone rushed to grab the lightest bundle. Morris also ran to pick a new bundle. Staring at all the bundles hanging on the pegs, he kept guessing for a long time. Now, he was even more afraid that he might pick up a bundle that contained even more suffering than the previous one. If that happened, his troubles would increase, and he would be in trouble. His life would be ruined, to say the least. Various thoughts began to cross his mind. He began to think that at least he was well aware of his sufferings and had become accustomed to enduring them. He had even begun to find some solutions to them, and perhaps, if that paid off, one or two of them would be reduced.

Lest the new bundle he chose make his sorrows even more painful. Lost in such thoughts, he passed one bundle after another but couldn't decide which one to choose. He was also afraid that someone might take his bundle.

Caught in this dilemma, Morris finally picked up his bundle and set off. He resolved to face these challenges with more strength than before. Gradually, Morris felt his own sorrows diminishing compared to others. And similar feelings were emerging in everyone present. Truly, everyone feels their own sorrows greater and more painful. It seems that they are the most unhappy person in the world. But who knows how many more are more unhappy than us. How many people are so miserable that even two meals a day are difficult to afford?

If, while passing by someone's magnificent mansion, the thought repeatedly comes to mind: when fortunes were being distributed, why did he lag behind this man? Had he been ahead, he too would have found such happiness and prosperity. Those who possess courage and determination easily overcome life's difficulties, riding on the boat of self-confidence. Just think about those who are teetering between life and death. At least you were ahead of them in the line of fate. You are healthy, not dependent on anyone for your work. You are capable of doing your own work.

The End

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