Saturday 4 April 2015

Date with destiny. Can anyone stop it?

We talk about fate, providence, destiny. Does something like that actually exist? Maybe.

Do we kind of drift along in our lives or does everything happen for a reason? Are we fated to meet the people we meet, do the work we do, read the stuff we read? Is everything predestined? I wonder. All the time.

Here's an interesting little story I came across on the net a while ago, while searching for something. It enthrals me every time I read it. Wanted to share it with you. I do not know who wrote it or what the title is. The story seems to say that if something is bound to happen at a given time & place, it surely will. 

This is how the story goes....

A mighty Persian king went walking in his pleasure gardens one day and heard a great cry, and he was immediately set upon by a panicked servant.

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"Mighty king," said the servant, "I have need of your aid! I was working in the garden and came upon Death here, who threatened me. I managed to escape from him, but I fear now for my life. Give me your fastest horse and I know I can make it to the city of Tehran by nightfall, and there I will get away from him."

The king considered for a moment, weighing the good servant's years of loyal help, and assented, providing him with the horse and silver. The king continued to walk in his gardens, and amid the sound of the horse and servant riding off together, the king himself came upon Death.

"Why have you threatened my servant?" the king asked.

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Death shook his head. "A thousand apologies, sir, but I did not threaten the man. I merely expressed my surprise at finding him here in your gardens today."

"And why should my servant's presence here be a surprise to you?" the king asked.

And Death replied with a smile, "I was surprised to find him here, good king, because I know that we have an appointment to meet tonight in Tehran." 

This story has certainly left its impression on me. 

Do you think our lives are "ruled" by fate or destiny? Would love to hear your thoughts on this.

14 comments:

  1. I love the story, but I don't believe our lives are ruled by destiny or fate. The idea of life without free will having any true meaning is horrifying to me. Thank you for the thought-provoking post.

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    1. Thank you Kern Windwraith for stopping by and for your comment. I agree with you that the very thought of life without free will is truly horrifying. And am in no doubt that there is free will at play too. :)

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  2. I do think to an extent there's fate or destiny that plays a role in our life. But there are pages in our life too that we have to write by ourselves.

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    1. Thank you for stopping by Sheetal, and for your comment. I couldn't agree more with your words.

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  3. I think destiny plays an important role sometimes in our life. But then again isn't our life also governed by the decisions we make, our choices. That was a very interesting story :)

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    1. Yes, I guess both do govern our lives Prasanna. I keep going back to this story whenever I can. It has captured my interest big time :)

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  4. I think destiny does play an important role..my poem today is about the same thing. Great minds think alike! ;)

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    1. I guess it is one of those inexplicable things. :) Oh yes, Janu.. great minds think alike.. I have one more similar adage but I will refrain from mentioning it :)

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  5. Replies
    1. Oh yes! Providence, fate, destiny .. one of those inexplicable things of life :)

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  6. To an extent, yes i believe our lives are ruled by fate and destiny. :)
    Happy weekend.

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    1. Thank you Lancelot Quadras, for dropping by and your comment. :) Happy weekend to you too.

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  7. I guess nothing we do can help us escape destiny! Loved reading this story :)

    Read my D post Double Jeopardy

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    1. Glad you enjoyed. Thanks. I sure will read your posts Swathi. :)

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