Based on the book “Perennial Wisdom through Stories” by Swami Ananda Saraswati
The Ashram was slowly retiring into the night after a hectic day. Hallways were empty, and the ambience was almost completely silent but for the soft rustling of the river flowing nearby. One young student however was up and slowly making his way towards the compound wall. He silently jumped out & went into the forest. Swamiji was awake too, and had been noticing this student frequently going out after everyone had slept and returning in the wee hours of the night.
Swamiji waited for the student to return near the wall. A few hours later as the student jumped back in, he almost fell on Swamiji. Realising that he has been caught in the act, he sincerely apologised and promised he would not do it again. Swamiji smiled back at him, comforted him and said – dear one, do not stay out late at night. It is not safe in the woods. In a few days the news of this incident had spread across the student community. A few senior students were unhappy that the mischief was never punished. They felt Swamiji was encouraging bad behaviour in the Ashram. They met Swamiji in private and told him – “Swamiji, the mischievous student must be thrown out of the Ashram. He is a bad apple and would spoil others. Swamiji said – “Is that what you think? Has he stepped out after I caught him? In fact, he has not. Children, you need to understand – he is a child, he is immature not bad. Will you throw a child out of your home?”
“Compassion is to accommodate the weakness of others. To act in their best interest, if not always, but whenever need be.”
Compiled by Anantha Padmanabhan