46. The Palace with One Door


Fearing his enemies, a mighty king built his palace without windows. There was one door only, guarded by a thousand soldiers.
Then one day, the king took a walk.
A Sufi by the roadside laughed at him.
"Why are you laughing?" asked the king angrily.
"The door is still open to your enemies," said the Sufi. "You need to brick it in."
"The palace would then be a tomb!" protested the king.
"So it is already," replied the Sufi. "Eliminating doors and windows, you eliminated life. Widen the doors! Widen them until the walls are no more. That is life!"



Inspired byThe Little Book of Sufi Parables by Nico Neruda
Notes: This is story 33 in the book.

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