In our pursuit of happiness, we often recognize many things we should do. Yet, despite our intentions, we run into obstacles — circumstances that don’t support us, plans that don’t unfold as expected, limited resources, or even a mind that resists change.
In such moments, we can feel stuck…even helpless.
It is here that a simple parable of a horse caretaker offers a gentle, yet profound, reminder.
The Parable of the Caretaker
A merchant once hired a young man to take care of his horses.
But the man was not fit for the job. He was lazy, uninterested, and often found sleeping on duty.
One day, the caretaker said to his mother,
“I too want a beautiful house like the merchant. I will build a ranch and hire someone to take care of my horses.”
The mother knew her son well. She smiled gently and replied,
“You are already reluctant to do the work given to you. Someone has employed you with difficulty. Now that you have this opportunity, do your work sincerely. It will sustain us.”
The son then asked,
“Mother, is there a way my pay can increase?”
“Yes,” she said. “If you do your work well, your master will be pleased — and he will increase your pay.”
His eyes lit up.
“How will I know when he is pleased?”
“When he smiles at you,” she said, “that is the moment to ask — “Master, could you please increase my pay?”
Waiting for the Smile
From that day on, the caretaker eagerly waited for his master to smile.
But the merchant was a serious man — he rarely smiled.
Time passed.
One day, the caretaker was, as usual, asleep on duty. A thief came and quietly took away the horse.
The next morning, the merchant asked him to prepare the horse.
Still half-asleep, the caretaker replied,
“Please wait, master… it will take some time.”
“Why?” the merchant asked.
“Because someone has stolen the horse.”
The merchant grew angry.
But the caretaker continued confidently,
“I will soon present both the horse and the thief before you.”
“How?” the merchant asked, surprised.
“The thief has taken only the horse,” he replied. “He forgot the leash. He will return for it — and I will catch him.”
The merchant, unable to contain himself, burst into laughter.
The caretaker immediately remembered his mother’s words and said, “Master, could you please increase my pay?”
Our Mind and the Merchant
The story may seem exaggerated. Yet, if we look closely, it feels uncomfortably familiar.
Sacred traditions often use the metaphor of master and servant to help us understand this inner relationship.
In this story:
- the horse caretaker is our mind,
- the mother is our wisdom,
- the merchant is our higher Self.
The mind keeps asking, “Can I get more?”
But rarely pauses to ask, “Have I fulfilled what has already been given to me?”
We have been entrusted with a body, a mind, and an intellect.
Yet, instead of nurturing them, we often dissipate them in distraction and indulgence.
The mind remains asleep—and the “horse” is stolen.
The Guru Granth Sahib describes this state of mind with striking clarity:
सेवा थोरी मागनु बहुता ॥
His service is little, but his demands are great.महलु न पावै कहतो पहुता ॥१॥
He has not reached the Divine Presence, yet claims he has arrived.जो पृअ माने तिन की रीसा ॥
He competes with those who are accepted by the Beloved.कूड़े मूरख की हाठीसा ॥
Such is the stubbornness of the false fool.
The Task Assigned
His Holiness the Dalai Lama reminds us that human life is precious. The purpose of this life is not to acquire possessions or indulge the senses. We see enough examples around us — where, despite a soft bed, the best food, and every luxury, the mind remains restless.
We leave everything behind when we leave this world — wealth, fame, relationships. “The only thing that can help you face the unknown is the virtue you have planted in the stream of your consciousness.”
Suffering arises from negative actions; happiness from positive ones.
But lasting change is not achieved by altering external behavior alone — it requires transforming the mind itself.
And this needs effort. Even the Buddha did not awaken overnight.
He began as an ordinary human being, searching, questioning, persevering. Through sustained effort and deep inquiry, he came to understand the nature of suffering — and transcended it.
These lives remind us: transformation is possible. But it asks for commitment.
The Mind in Service
We know, at some level, the virtues that lead to peace — contentment, optimism, generosity, integrity — yet we hesitate.
Like the caretaker, we wait for life to become favorable.
The mind tells us “When I have more money, I will think about this. If others are calm, I can be calm too. When my situation improves, I will begin.”
Jaswant Singh Parwana beautifully reflects:
Bhakti is not asking the Master to serve us.
It is offering ourselves fully in service.
And when we fall short, we pray — not for reward, but for strength.
When we give ourselves sincerely — using what has already been given —
Circumstances begin to shift, and pathways open.
We begin to receive…without asking.
Not because we demanded it,
but because we aligned ourselves with the work…
Reflection question
Does this story connect with your own life experience— a time when you did your best in the circumstances, and saw new pathways open?
Source:
- Jaswant Singh Parwana, “Bahie padhiye paas.”
- His Holiness the Dalai Lama, “The joy of living and dying in peace.”
The Sabad Project - Wisdom stories 
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