The juggler’s joy
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There was once a juggler. He was known across the land for his skills. He could juggle practically any number of things for as long as he wanted. It was said that he had never made a mistake and was, in fact, incapable of making one.
His fame grew as he travelled far and wide and performed in palaces, royal courts, and town halls. Because he made juggling look like the easiest thing to do, many tried their hand at the craft. They gave up when they were bored or became too acutely aware of their limitations. Funnily enough, no one had ever asked the juggler to teach them.
One day a boy came to the juggler after he had finished a show. He was putting the tenpins, balls, chainsaws and other assorted things into their respective bags and boxes.
“Teach me to juggle,” said the boy.
The juggler remembered the boy from his audience the day before, and the day before that, and before that. He remembered the boy because he never clapped or shouted during the shows. He never laughed and he never whistled his approval. To less experienced eyes, the boy might have appeared unappreciative or stuck-up. But the juggler had been expecting him to show up.
“You have tried juggling before?” asked the juggler.
“Yes,” said the boy. There was a note of sad longing in his voice.
The juggler gave the boy three balls. People were still leaving the place. Dust swirled gently in the orange light of the setting sun. He stretched himself and a part-lazy-part-tired smile broke across his face.
“Show me what you can do,” he said to the boy.
The boy juggled. He kept the balls going for a good while before he misjudged and dropped one. He looked at the fallen ball for a while and then his eyes met the juggler’s gaze.
“You need some work, but you are not bad,” said the juggler.
“I make mistakes,” said the boy.
“You will always make mistakes,” the juggler said.
“Yes,” said the boy. “But one day when I have practiced enough and learnt everything you know, I will be perfect. Then I will make no mistakes.”
“You will always make mistakes,” the juggler said again. “There is nothing wrong with making mistakes. I make mistakes all the times. Sometimes even with three balls.”
“But you never make mistakes,” the boy protested weakly.
“Says who?” the juggler asked — a little annoyed, a little amused. Then without waiting for an answer, he continued, “I am glad I make mistakes.”
The boy picked up the third ball from the ground. The juggler took the balls from him and put them back in the bag.
“When I drop a ball,” said the juggler as he tied the bag close, “I pick it up and start juggling again.”
“It doesn’t bother you that you are not perfect?”
“I AM perfect,” the juggler smiled widely. “So are you. Dropping balls is part of juggling.”
“But they say you never make a mistake,” if the boy sounded disillusioned, the juggler didn’t seem to care.
“I don’t juggle to convince people that I am perfect. I don’t juggle to uphold their ideas about me,” said the juggler. “Even if the world thought I sucked at juggling and even if there was no one at my shows but me, I would still juggle all day. I juggle because it gives me joy.”
The boy’s face was unfathomable. Even after a long time, he didn’t speak.
The juggler moved closer to him and said, “Don’t get me wrong. I do enjoy showing off before crowds. The cheers always give me a boost. They are all very useful side benefits. But that is all they are — side benefits.”
The boy was looking up at the juggler’s bright and cheerful face. He still wanted to learn juggling. But he had learnt a far greater lesson already. He now knew why he wanted to juggle.
“Teach me to juggle,” the boy said.
“You will make mistakes,” said the juggler.
“Yes,” the boy said.
Posted on Saturday, February 16th, 2008 at 7:40 pm and filed under life, learning, stories.
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Very depressing story this one. Don’t ask why. But nicely written as usual. More later.
-G!
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Sorry to depress. Caffeine may help.
The cynical me would say that sometimes depending on circumstances, mistakes can be costly. If juggler drops a ball, he can lift again and go on. But if a trader makes a mistake in stock market, he may lose lot of other people’s money, then his job and may go to jail. Not every time there would be juggler teaching a boy. This kind of theory has its place and people learn with mistakes. But in real life, one has to see the risk involved in a mistake, the things at stake and so prepare for it in advance as much as possible within the time frame. Once the right time has passed and reputation ruined, the joy of juggling wouldn’t console the boy for long.
And then there is the concept of not being perfect but being relatively better than all your opponent in the market.
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Different answers for different people. You obviously believe that there is no coming back for people who have lost it all in the stock market. Yet, history is full of names of people who lost everything and still came back.
You will notice that the juggler didn’t come to teach the boy. It was the boy who sought him out.
really neat! this one i feel has to be read to kids and read by adults..(uhm and kids who have started reading). so much in so little words…good job
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Mini! Your powers of observation continue to serve you well!
I agree, as annie says, this is something kids would definitely like. Nevertheless, its lesson is useful for us adults too. The nice thing about it is that the juggler is happy about performing his juggle, no matter mistakes do occur as they should.
Thanks.
Nanda
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Hey Nanda! Lessons are neither for kids nor adults. They are for whoever is open to them.
Man this is really a nice stuff. I mean you have really made it simple how to convince yourself which i find very difficult. Keep writing. Your words have the power to enter the reader’s heart.
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Thanks for having an open heart!
I do not think that this is a story for kids. It is meant for the modern man. In fact I believe that in the contemporary scenario we have all got lost in our busy lives and hectic schedules. We have forgotten what we want to do and enjoy doing. This story reminds its readers of passions and interests which have been supressed due to societal demands.
I was moved by the simplistic yet deeply and meaningful writing. You are right that self satisfaction is of prime importance. The rest are all side benefits.
You are an awesome storyteller.Keep up the good work.
Arjya
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Thanks! Glad the story agreed with you.
Hi, Vijayendra. This parable made my face beam. Thank you so much for posting it.
-TimK
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Your beaming face is reward enough Tim! Keep coming back.
[…] Vijayendra Mohanty, on her site mypajama.com, has given us an inspiring parable, “The Juggler”s Joy” […]
Hey Vijendra,
Read and reread your blogs. Would like to give my sincere suggestions:
1. Well framed but certainly not an out-of-the-box theory.
2. Abrupt ending even though the original intention of the writer was to put across a thought to ponder over.
3. Mediocre vocabulary because of which the entire exercise lacked the so called ‘punch’.
But, I really regret of missing such intellectual discussions in our college days.
Mayurakshi
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Thanks Mayurakshi!
1. My intention was never to propound ‘out-of-the-box’ theories. But thanks for the ‘well-framed’ part.
2. Sorry to disappoint. I like to keep my stories snappy and to the point. Some people like them that way.
3. If by mediocre vocabulary you mean simple words, then thanks. I try to keep things lucid. I don’t understand what ’so-called punch’ you are talking about though.
I am glad I never had intellectual discussions with you in college. I would probably have been irreparably (note: thick word) damaged.
Thanks for dropping by.
Hi Vijayendra. I must say those who give negative statements about your writings, i am sure they need them more than us. So i would really request you to keep writing the way you like. And please dont use ornamental languages. By the way I am eagerly waiting to read your next article. Please write soon. Good luck
“I must say those who give negative statements about your writings, I am sure they need them more than us.”
When things go beyond all levels of deciphering, one can only sit back and think what has actually gone wrong!
I was bemused to find the same outdated comments and goofy memes traded back and forth. Just wanted to offer my sincere comments. Am sure a rational writer still believes that Critics are the best judge!
Mayurakshi
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Critics eh? In the animeted movie Ratatouille there is an interesting quote about critics. Do try and watch it if you can. Truly an eye-opener.
Hi, Vijayendra,
Very nicely done! My only quibble would be “far and wide”, but I really liked the story overall. Sometimes I don’t like fiction online , but I thought this story worked really well.
Thanks for the visit to Inklit. I’ve subscribed here as well so you’re on your way!