The parable of good and bad deeds

– Well, I remember, – Mickey chimed in, – the older kids used to tell us not to do such things!

– I don't know, I don't believe it, but why can't I do it? What's the big deal? Everyone else is doing it, why can't I do something that the older generation advised against? Nonsense, I know everything myself! – Oscar sharply replied.

– Yes, Oscar, your outrage is understandable and your questions are valid, – replied grandfather, – and of course, we will find answers to them together.

– Yes, grandfather, we will find them! And you also promised us to tell us many interesting and useful things last time, and we are ready, especially Oscar, to listen to you attentively, – Mickey said with a smile.

– No one listens more attentively than Oscar, – grumbled Oscar, settling comfortably with Mickey by the fireplace, and listened with interest to his grandfather's story:

– And in my youth, my children, – began grandfather, – I had the same problems as you, Oscar. The house was falling apart, friends were leaving because of the cold and dampness of my home. Even a huge and warm fireplace couldn't save us. And so, it went on for a long time. There were also calm dry times. I was happy with the drought, while others around me were sad – dust everywhere, which the rain wouldn't wash away, the grass wasn't green and the trees were drying up. But I was satisfied – my house was standing strong and welcoming guests. But one day, after a series of hurricanes and rains, my house crumbled and disappeared like sugar in a cup of tea… I couldn't take it, fell into complete despair and started looking for the reason. I remembered what the older generation taught me, looked at others and how they live, what deeds they do and how many bricks they get for them.

– Why does everyone have the same thing? – asked Oscar in surprise.

– Not everyone, – Mickey happily replied, – I'm doing just fine with my home!

– Yes, Mickey, you are different from many people, and you need to preserve your skill and pass it on to others, – grandfather replied emotionally.

– Mickey gives advice to many people, – Oscar said, – and he often tells me, «Don’t do this, it's better not to do that in the fair of life», but I rarely listen to him, and probably in vain.

– Yes, Oscar, it's good that you understand that, – grandfather said with a smile and took a sip of delicious tea. Settling comfortably in his armchair by the fireplace and covering himself with a warm blanket, he continued his story, – just like you, after the next rain, I flew to my beloved grandfather. I haven't seen him for a long time, and I was ashamed of it. And my shame only delayed my trip to him. But I gathered my strength and flew there. Grandfather was very, very happy, and after listening to me, he told me this ancient story: «Long, long ago, many years ago, in our little town, there was only one brick factory on Sunny Street. And everyone did things and made choices based on what that factory offered. Everything was fine, houses were built and didn't break down, only occasionally a brick would fall out, but even that was rare. Eternal homes, joy, and peace. The rains and storms didn't bother anyone, they only helped us live by washing the streets clean of dirt, and the roofs and walls of houses of dust. The grass was green, and the trees grew and bore fruit. There was plenty of time for work and play».

– What a wonderful time it was, – Oscar interrupted his grandfather, -What happened? Why are we struggling now? – he asked with interest.

– Yes, my dear children, someone is suffering, – said grandfather, taking another sip of his delicious tea, and continued the ancient story. «And everything was fine until they appeared – these snakes. They crawled out from somewhere underground and opened their own shop at the fair of deeds and actions, selling their bricks, but already for their own deeds and actions. They brought their bricks from this cave, where Oscar was. And they had their own list of deeds and actions, which was much longer. They paid a lot for the completion of their deeds and actions, so there was always a line to them. Then they stopped selling themselves and offered us to do it ourselves, for a huge reward of the same bricks. Time passed, and suddenly in our cozy town after every rain, ruined houses began to appear, and they became more and more. The houses were rebuilt again and again, but after the rains and hurricanes, everything collapsed again. Everyone tried to take as many bricks at the fair of life as possible and took any deeds and actions indiscriminately, just to quickly patch up the holes in their own houses. Time passed, and souls began to ponder what was the matter, as things seemed to be just things, and actions just actions. But soon they noticed that some actions gave solid bricks like stones, while others paid with bricks that crumbled after the rain. And if the bricks fell apart after the rain, then our ancestors started calling the actions and deeds for which they were received "bad" deeds. We are paid for them with bricks that seem normal and solid, but when the rain and bad weather comes, these bricks crumble and our life houses collapse. And as it turned out, only snakes from their damp caves pay us with such "bad" bricks. On Sunny Street, they make bricks as hard as stone, and they do not crumble from either the sun or the rain, and with time they become stronger and stronger. And the deeds and actions that they offer to do for bricks from Sunny Street came to be called "good" deeds. The life houses made of these bricks are warm and strong, and living and sleeping in them is a real pleasure. And so, they began to live from then on. Those who were wiser tried to do only "good" deeds at the fair of life, and although they received fewer bricks, they lived in warm and cozy houses. Those who were in a hurry and wanted to build their life house as quickly as possible took "bad" deeds, and having received many bricks for them, but bad ones, they lived and suffered in their huge, but leaky houses». That's the story I was told a long time ago, – said Grandpa, finishing his delicious tea.

– Clearly, snakes are to blame for everything! – said Oscar decisively, – they sell bad deals, and that's why houses collapse… So, we just won't take their bad deals, simple as that! – Oscar continued, – as for me, I take or sell bad deals and receive their rotten bricks from the snakes, and my house constantly crumbles. It's clear… it's clear, – Oscar mused.

– Grandpa, – Mickey interrupted Oscar, – so I always take and do only good deeds and actions at the fair of life?

– Yes, that's right, since your house of life is so strong and good, – Grandpa kindly answered.

– But I didn't even know about this and didn't think about it. Why does it work out like that? – Mickey asked in surprise.

– From childhood, our parents and elders teach us what we can do and what we cannot do. Yes, elders rarely explain why we cannot do this or that. Everyone is in a hurry, they also need to do things and build their house of life. And so, from year to year, we listen and listen. But a time comes when we fly away from our parents and start our own life. And that's when it becomes apparent who listened well to their parents and elders, and who let everything go in one ear and out the other, – Grandpa explained.

– They always taught me not to do this or that too, – Oscar chimed in, – well, why not? – he asked, – «You'll understand when you grow up», our parents usually answered. So, we grew up, and we can't even build a proper house of life! And there's still no understanding!

– Take only what you like! – Mickey suggested, – That's what I usually do.

– Yes, that's what I do too, – Oscar replied, – yesterday at the fair, I picked up one of my favorite things to do called «not picking up my toys and telling Mom I did, then running outside to play». I like doing things like that! But where is my home in life? Nowhere! It crumbles like sand after rain from these actions and deeds! – Oscar laughed.

– You're right, Oscar, – his grandfather replied, – It's hard to determine whether something is good or bad based solely on whether you like it or not. We too used to chase after things we liked in the past without considering their true value, and as a result – the porch collapses, the wall falls apart, and the unpleasant howling of the wind through the damp house…

– So, what should we do? – Oscar asked, – we could spend our whole lives living in a damp house, not understanding what's good or bad. What's good for one person may be bad for another! Grandma says, «have more jam», but Mom says, «no, you'll get a toothache»! One person says, «give me change», while another says, «let's talk about what happened, what the problem is, and forgive each other». As many people, as many opinions! I'm tired, my head hurts from all this moralizing! Let's go play in the field instead, the bright sun is shining, the birds are singing, let's relax and have some fun! – Oscar said.

Mickey and Oscar flew to Grandpa's garden to have fun and play, while guests arrived to visit Grandpa and they all started to have a fun evening together.

Oscar starts doing good things.

The next day, Oscar said he understood everything and knew what to do. After saying goodbye to Grandpa, he and Mickey flew home. There, he took a piece of paper and a pencil and they flew to the Fair of Life shop, where his friend Mickey usually gets his deeds and actions. He asked him to write down all the deeds and actions that he loves to do on the paper. After that, they flew to his house to have tea with raspberry.

– I'll close my shop for now, I won't sell deeds that snakes offer. There's not much point in selling deeds from Sunny Street either, not many people buy them. I'll just waste time sitting in the shop doing nothing. I'll do deeds and actions from the list you wrote for me myself. If your house is strong, then these are good deeds. And then my house will also be warm and strong, – Oscar said decisively and began to study the list of deeds intently:

– So, not much here. But at least there's something to choose from, and that's good, – Oscar said with interest, trying to find something familiar on the list, – «To learn homework and get a good grade», – well, of course I'll try, – Oscar stretched out with a creak and continued to read on, – «Wash and feed a homeless kitten or puppy. Take them to a shelter or leave them at home», – ugh, they stink and shed so much, I won't be able to clean myself after that! – Oscar grumbled, – okay, let's keep reading. «Help a friend solve a problem». Can't he do it himself? – Oscar objected, – Let him learn better! «Comfort and help someone who's crying». He brought it on himself, now he'll learn his lesson! And the deeds you choose, my friend, – Oscar exclaimed in surprise, – let's keep reading… «Give to a beggar on the street», another one! If they give him something, he'll just keep begging! «Learn all your lessons until your mom checks them. Only then go out to play with your friends». Yeah, who's going to wait for me to study while everyone else has fun and goes home… I usually take the action «lie, say I did everything and go out to play», – I get more bricks for that one…

– Well, where are your bricks? – Mickey asked.

– Yes, you're right, my friend… So, what else is there, something more serious? – Oscar continued listing the tasks and deeds from Mickey's list: – «to help mom clean the house», – well, okay, we'll help, my house is also home, – said Oscar and continued, – «the whole helping a friend fill barrels for watering the garden all day long». Hauling! This isn't even my garden, I have plenty of my own tasks! Usually, I pick the deed «refuse a friend's help, come up with something important». It's easy and promotes imagination! And they give you lots of bricks. Alright, next up is «make peace with an opponent», what kind of news is that!? – Oscar exclaimed, surprised and angry, – that's why they're an opponent, to argue with them! I don't know how to do these kinds of things. I've never done anything like it. And most importantly, why bother? A couple of bricks here, a handful there. It won't make much difference. I need to build a house, I can't live with you forever! – Oscar finished grimly and set the list aside.

– Well, try it out. It doesn't have to take forever. Just one brick at a time, and before you know it, you'll have built a strong and cozy home for yourself, – his friend replied.

– Alright, my friend, but in that case, I'll stay with you for a while, if you don't mind? – Oscar asked.

– Of course not. You can sleep on my soft bed, and I'll take the couch by the fireplace. Everything will be fine! – Mickey answered joyfully.

And so, the friends decided. Oscar promised to only do tasks and deeds from Mickey's list. He worked diligently every day at the fair of life, from morning until late at night, not even having time for tea and jam, all while dreaming of a big house and noisy parties with friends in it.

The deception of Oscar.

Time had passed. Oscar had just finished building his new small house, when another downpour came. Lightning flashed, and our friends sat by the fireplace in Mickey's warm house, sipping tea with jam. Mickey was happily reading a book, while Oscar kept fidgeting in his chair, unable to find his place.

– What's wrong, Oscar? What happened? – asked Mickey.

– Everything's fine! Don't worry, I'm okay. You know, dealing with all these tasks and actions on your list is not something everyone can handle! – nervously replied Oscar.

– Well, if anything, tell me. We'll discuss and solve all your problems, – said Mickey, looking at Oscar suspiciously.

After the rain stopped, Oscar immediately rushed outside without waiting for it to dry up. Mickey found it strange and followed him.

They were faced with an unpleasant sight… Oscar's house was in shambles again, with half of the bricks scattered by the rain and wind.

– You promised me that you wouldn't take on bad deals anymore, Oscar!? – exclaimed Mickey.

– Yes, I promised… – sadly replied Oscar, – but I thought everything would be okay. Yes, I took on deals that you didn't recommend, but they gave very few bricks. I thought these were insignificant bad deals, and maybe the bricks wouldn't fall apart so quickly. And also, sometimes there were no actions and deeds from your list at the fair. I had to take what was there, at random, what seemed like a good deal by name… Well, what's the use of looking, let's fly to grandfather, we need his advice, – and with a sad wave of his hand towards his dilapidated house, Oscar, together with Mickey, gathered and flew to Grandfather.

A spoonful of tar in a barrel of honey.

Once again, Grandfather welcomed his little ones with a kind smile and a jar of jam.

– Grandfather, – pleaded Oscar, – I worked every day, doing different things, both good and bad. And even more good than bad! And the bad ones I took were the cheapest and most insignificant! What's wrong with that? I did so many good deeds at the fair of life, but my house of life is still in a mess!

– Here, look children, – said Grandfather with a smile, – you have done many bad deeds and only one good one. What will remain of the walls in your house after a rain? Just a couple of bricks from all the walls, my children! And if you do half bad deeds and half good, what will remain of the walls? Half the house or even less. And can you live in such a house? Of course not. Do you want to live in this kind of house? And now you have done many good deeds and only one bad one and have built the walls of your house, what will happen after a storm? That's right, there will be a hole in the wall, and it won't be small… Even one bad deed will leave a hole, but you were given many bricks for that bad deed, and you used them all to build the walls of your life's house. Can you live in such a house? It will probably be uncomfortable for you and your friends…

– Well, that's going too far! How can we do without any bad deeds at all! That's impossible! – Oscar cried and wept.

– Fortunately, it is possible, – said Grandfather.

– What's fortunate about it!? – Oscar wailed, but then he jumped up and shouted joyfully, – I understand it all now! We need to destroy the cave! We need to break their underground factory! Destroy everything, and make them forget the recipe for their holey bricks. If there's no brick factory, they won't sell their bad deeds. It's all about the cave! Tomorrow we'll fly there, sneak into the cave, find out what they make their bricks from, destroy all the documentation and equipment, and our world will be saved!

Grandpa wasn't very happy with this plan, but there was nothing he could do. Trying to persuade the youngsters with reasoning was useless against their plucky spirit. Grandpa still wanted to tell the kids a lot of useful and sensible things: about the snakes, and how to distinguish between good and bad deeds, but the kids didn't want to listen anymore. «So, it's not the right time yet», – Grandpa decided and gave them invisibility hats and a jar of jam to help. He advised them to stay at his house until morning and to gather their strength before their important adventure.

Oscar Saves the World. Attack on the Snake Cave.

All evening, friends drew a map of the cave from Oscar's memory. He had been there before and seen a lot. They made plans for an invasion and the destruction of the factory in the cave. They drew diagrams of the capture and the retreat in case the operation failed. After training and suffering enough, but satisfied, they fell asleep right on the map. The next day they decided to practice some more and head to the cave closer to evening so they could do everything calmly at night, perhaps there would be no one there.

And so, wearing their invisibility hats, our friends set off on their adventure! By evening, there were already few visitors at the entrance to the cave, and the friends quickly flew inside and looked for a place to hide until nightfall, so that no one would see their riot. Looking around, they quickly found the factory where they made bricks. It was not very deep, closer to the exit, so as not to carry the bricks too far. Everything was simple, but terribly dirty, damp, and cold. Long pipes stretched from all the cracks in the cave towards the factory. They stretched far, far away, and it seemed that under all the earth and under their village there was a whole network of these pipes collecting rainwater. All the water flowed into a large basin where they added ordinary sand and boiled bricks. Then they fired them and stacked them in boxes for shipping. Everything was simple. No chemistry or additives, only rainwater and sand.

– And anyone can do it, – said the disappointed Oscar, surprised by what he had seen, – and there's no need for a recipe, I can make as many of these bricks as I want. Alright, let's keep going, maybe there's something else interesting here, – and they continued exploring the cave.

Still trying to find something else, they stumbled upon a huge and powerful iron door. They didn't know how to open it. And finding nothing else interesting besides this huge iron door, they began to wait, admiring the huge and beautiful cave stalactites. Soon the door creaked, opened slightly, and they quickly flew into the opening. In the middle of the huge cave stood printing presses, continuously printing something. On the walls of the cave, from bottom to top and far into the depths, were stacks of leaflets. The friends immediately recognized these leaflets – they were lists of bad deeds and misdeeds. They were printed in this cave and then sent to shops to be sold.

– Wow, there are so many of them! And they just keep printing and printing! – said Mickey.

– Enough printing! – angrily shouted Oscar, and grabbing the printing press, he threw it onto the stone floor with a crash. The ink splattered and the machine's mechanisms scattered, producing a stunning impression on the present snakes. They couldn't see our friends because they were wearing invisibility hats, and frightened, they flew out of the cave.

– Away with you, you cursed snakes! – Oscar cried out, and threw another press at them in pursuit.

The friends began to break and crush everything around them, trample the printing presses into crumbs, and pour ink onto the floor. Everything was flying apart and pouring onto the floor. After dealing with the presses, they began to think about what to do with the huge stacks of leaflets. The only solution was to pour water over everything and wash all the inscriptions off the leaflets, thankfully there were plenty of pipes with water. After opening all the taps and pouring water onto the leaflets, they flew out of the cave. Exhausted but satisfied, they looked at what was happening from afar – the snakes were urgently trying to save their leaflets, still not understanding why the presses suddenly began to fly in the air and the taps opened and poured water from the pipes… Smiling and happy with their successful deed, the friends flew back to their grandfather.

Evil begets only evil.

– Well, my children, tell me about your adventures, – their grandfather greeted them kindly but excitedly.

– Well, it was a tough but fun operation! – Oscar said proudly, – we broke their printing presses and flooded their leaflets and their whole cave with water, – and they told their grandfather everything they saw and did.

– Well done, my heroes, now for a while the snakes will calm down and not sell their rotten bricks for their bad deeds at the fair of life. But they are cunning snakes, they will still come up with something and restore everything. They are earth creatures, and that's their home, you can't drive them out. In our time, we too have chased them into caves and flooded them with water, but it was all in vain, they kept coming back again and again. And surprisingly and sadly, many of us were happy to see them return – we could quickly build our huge houses of life and throw a party in them like no other! To the envy of everyone, until a hurricane with rain came. And then even a flood wouldn't stop them from trading at the fair of life again and again."

– Yes, grandfather, I understand. I too am in a hurry and grab onto all tasks, good and bad, without discrimination! – Oscar said.

– And as for our business with the snakes, smashing their cave is an evil and bad deed that will only generate an evil response from them, – unexpectedly responded grandfather to his friends.

– Why is it evil? They started it and continue it! – protested Oscar.

– Yes, they started it and continue it, but that is their essence and nature – to sell evil, – sadly replied grandfather, – and the more we chase them, the more wicked deeds and actions they come up with. And they deceive us, disguising their dirty deeds as seemingly good ones. They are cunning and come up with new actions that we haven't done and don't know the consequences for our home of life. And it's hard to tell now where the good deeds end and the bad ones begin. And we, seeing a huge reward, eagerly take them on, hoping to quickly build our home of life! Evil begets only evil! – wisely said grandfather.

– Well, what can we do? Just sit and watch as they deceive us? – protested Oscar.

– Don't rush, Oscar, and I'll tell you what to do. The main thing is to listen and not to fly away to perform new feats… – grandfather said with a smile.

The secret of the rain is revealed.

Grandfather settled himself comfortably in an armchair near the fireplace and continued his instructive speech, while the children listened with bated breath.

– By doing bad deeds and actions at the fair of life, we add even more evil to these bricks, filling them with new impurities. And then we carry them with us, building our house of life from them, – Grandpa began to explain, – but we are souls, heavenly creatures, and by nature, we are good and therefore, we detest evil. The magical rain and wind in our fairy-tale world, just like us heavenly creatures, also do not like any impurity and all that is bad. And seeing this on the walls of our houses and on our streets, they break down all that is bad and wash away all this impurity, sending it far away underground. And after the rain, our good heavenly sun shines brightly and rejoices in the cleanliness and absence of any impurity and evil.