Dmitriy Leo’s parable about the one true path. Two hunters got lost in the forest and wandered for a long time looking for a way out…
The Parable “Only One Way Is Right”
Two hunters got lost in the forest and wandered for a long time looking for a way out. Suddenly, they came upon a hunting lodge. Inside, they saw a pile of dry firewood, warm clothing, dried berries, bread, and mushrooms.
On the table lay a sheet of paper that read: “If you are lost, a map drawn on the wall will help you.”
The experienced hunter immediately approached the wall and began carefully studying the map, while the young man wandered around the house, filling his pockets with dried berries.
The experienced hunter turned around and said:
“We need to leave right now, because the journey ahead is long, and we may not make it before sunset.”
Then the hunters set out.
After covering quite a distance, the young hunter said in a discouraged voice:
“Are we sure we’re going the right way? Maybe we’ve gone off course?”
“No. Everything is fine. We are following the map,” the experienced traveler replied. “It was drawn by those who have already traveled this way, which means the path is the right one.”
So they kept walking and walking. The forest grew denser and denser, and the sun was sinking toward the horizon.
As he went around a fallen tree, the younger traveler caught his foot on a branch and fell, badly bruising his leg. Then he exclaimed irritably:
“Now I know for sure that we are going the wrong way! We have wandered so deep into the wilderness that we may never get out of here! We are definitely lost.”
The experienced traveler objected: “No, that is impossible. I remember clearly where we need to go; that is what the map showed.”
“Are you even sure that map is accurate? Why should I trust some map when logic says we should go where the forest is brighter?” the younger traveler protested.
“You will have to trust me,” the experienced traveler replied. “First, you have not studied the map and have no idea where to go. Second, we should not always trust our eyes or logic, but we need to walk by faith, and when…”
Without letting him finish, the younger traveler exclaimed: “I am sure that we need to look for clearings in the forest, because they lead to the exit. We must not go deeper into the forest. Do as you wish, but I am turning in another direction!”
The experienced traveler tried to dissuade the younger one, but he could not.
“All right. But I have one request. When you walk alone, mark the tree trunks along the way so that you can find your way back later.”
The younger traveler smirked and replied:
“Back? No, I will find my way out of the forest. But if you want me to, I will make the marks—but only so that you can later find your way out by following my trail.”
They marked the place where they parted, and each went his own way.
The experienced hunter continued along the route shown on the map, and after some time emerged from the thicket directly by the river.
However, his joy was overshadowed by concern for his young companion, who had remained in the forest. The hunter walked back and forth along the river, peering into the dense forest in hopes of seeing his companion, but in vain.
Meanwhile, the young man became completely lost. Weak and discouraged, he sat down under a tree. The sun disappeared, and it grew dark in the forest. In the middle of the night, the young hunter awoke to some kind of noise.
Not far away, he saw a pack of wolves and heard an ominous howl. Frightened, he quickly jumped to his feet and, grabbing the tree branches, began climbing upward with all his strength.
The wolves rushed toward him, but the hunter, who had nearly become prey himself, managed to climb to a safe height, though he badly cut himself on the sharp branches.
He remained sitting in the tree, without closing his eyes, until morning, when the wolves left to look for other prey.
As soon as he climbed down and gathered his belongings to return, a noise sounded behind him again. Fear paralyzed him so completely that he could not move.
Suddenly, a voice rang out:
“How glad I am to see you again! The map was accurate; I found my way out of the forest, and now I have come for you.”
“How did you find me?” the young man asked.
“I found you by the marks on the trees that you left behind. You yourself said that you would make marks so that I could follow your trail later.”
Lowering his eyes, the young hunter said:
“I admit that I was wrong. I should have followed the path you were leading me along. Now I understand that I should have studied the map carefully.” “That night I also realized that it is better to walk together than alone. Moreover, I saw that if we stray from the right path, dangers may lie in wait for us. I was only slightly injured, but I could have died—all because of my own foolishness!”
The experienced hunter approached the young man, embraced him, and said:
“You were lost, but now you are found!”
Author: Dmitriy Leo
