A wandering Sufi saw a dog approach a river to drink. But then the dog saw another dog there; it was just his reflection, though the dog didn't know that.
Frightened of the other dog, he backed away.
Thirst then made the dog approach the water again, but again he was afraid and backed off.
Finally, the dog's thirst was so great that he jumped into the water, which made the other dog disappear.
The dog drank; he swam, glad to be in the water on that hot day.
"We must jump," the Sufi thought to himself, "despite our fear."
Inspired by: The Little Book of Sufi Parables by Nico Neruda
Notes: This is story 30 in the book. This story is presented as a deathbed story: the Sufi Hassan is dying, and someone asks who his master was. He says he had thousands of masters, and tells stories about a thief, a dog, and a small child.
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