An inspiring parable by Dmitriy Leo: “The Reward for Those Who Overcome Obstacles.”
In a damp and cold dungeon, two prisoners sat shackled in chains. They had already been serving their sentences there for many years for the crimes they had committed. Their hair was long and dirty, and the clothes on their bodies had practically rotted away. The prisoners’ bodies were covered with wounds and sores, and every day they cried out loudly in pain.
One morning, guards entered the dungeon. Taking the prisoners, they led them out of the cell and brought them to the city’s main square. There, the prisoners were tied to tall posts, and guards were stationed beside them. Signs were placed above their heads bearing the inscription: “This is what will happen to everyone who breaks the law and commits a crime.”
There were many people in the square, and each expressed their own opinion. Some people felt sorry for the prisoners, others condemned them, while others were indifferent to “who” was being punished there and “for what.”
At noon, a stranger appeared in the square. From his appearance, it was clear that he was very wealthy and not from that area. Approaching the prisoners, he spoke to them.
“I can ransom you. You can be free again.”
“Why are you here?” the stranger asked.
“Because the guards brought us here and tied us up for everyone to mock,” answered the younger prisoner.
“Why are you here?” the stranger asked again.
Then the older prisoner answered: “Because we broke the law and committed a crime.”
“You answered correctly,” said the stranger, and asked another question. “What will you do if you are released tomorrow?”
“I don’t know,” answered the younger prisoner.
The second prisoner replied, “I will live differently. The wounds and sores on my body remind me of this every day.”
The wealthy stranger said, “You will find me where I found you,” and with these words, he went on his way. By the end of the day, the prisoners were taken back to the dungeon and shackled in chains again.
The next morning, the prisoners were brought out of the dungeon again and led somewhere. When they were already outside the city, the chief guard said, “By order of the king, we are releasing you. You have been ransomed, and you are now free.” After these words, the guards returned to the city, while the former prisoners joyfully ran home.
Time passed. The older man worked hard, became successful, and eventually grew rich very quickly. He often thought about his former cellmate and wanted to see him, but he could not find him anywhere. He also often remembered the stranger’s final words: “You will find me where I found you,” but he still did not understand what they meant.
One day, it occurred to him that the stranger might be found in the city’s main square, where the stranger had found them.
The rich man hurriedly got ready, took a supply of gold with him, and set off for that city. Arriving by noon, he immediately went to the main square and began searching the faces in the crowd for the stranger he longed to find. Suddenly, guards appeared in the square. They dragged two prisoners to the posts. When the prisoners had been tied up, the rich man froze at what he saw.
One of the prisoners was his former cellmate. He ran over and wanted to embrace his old friend, but the guard would not let anyone come close to the prisoners; they could only stand at a distance.
The rich man fell to his knees and began to weep. He felt sorry for his old acquaintance as he saw him in chains once again. After some time, he wiped away his tears, looked at the bag of gold, got to his feet, and called out to the prisoners.
“I can ransom you. You can be free again.”
“Why are you here?” he asked them.
The former cellmate recognized his voice, but out of shame he did not raise his head or answer.
Then the other prisoner beside him replied, “Because we broke the law and committed a crime.”
At that moment, someone placed a hand on the rich man’s shoulder and loudly addressed both prisoners: “What will you do if you are released tomorrow?”
Turning around, the rich man saw the stranger he had been searching for standing behind him and said, “I am so glad I found you!” The stranger replied, “I told you that you would find me where I found you.”
Author: Dmitriy Leo
