(Minghui.org) I read a story entitled “The Story of Giving” in which a man lost his way in the desert and drank up all his water. Under the scorching sun he kept going. Several times he almost collapsed, but with great determination he kept on. Finally he found an abandoned hut. He searched all over the hut several times but did not find a drop of water. He was bitterly disappointed. Nevertheless, he did not give up and searched for water beside the hut. Finally he found a hand pump. He pumped the handle hard but could not hear even a trace of a sound of any water, just the dry, hissing sound of air. Suddenly, he saw a kettle on the side of the hut with a cork tightly jammed in it. There was a rolled up note on top of the cork. The note said, “The pot is filled with water. Pour the water into the pump and then you can pump water out. But please fill up the pot after you drink enough water.” He hesitated, “If I take this pot with me, maybe I can still get out of the desert and survive. If I pour the water into the pump, what if no water comes out? Wouldn't this water be wasted?” In this desperate situation, the pot of water was as precious as life. He thought about it over and over again and then finally followed the instructions on the note. Just as the note had said, a vigorous stream of water bubbled out after he'd primed the pump. He drank all he wanted and then filled up his own container. Then he filled up the pot and put it back where he had found it. Eventually he was able to get out of the desert alive.
We really should celebrate this man's ability to make the right choice and get out of the desert. More importantly, we should congratulate him for escaping the desert of the soul—selfishness. When he decided to pour the pot of water down the pump instead of drinking it, his soul was saved, because he was able to put down the most selfish impulse—the attachment to his own life and death. In such a dire situation he still considered others—other people—who might in the same situation, and he was able to pour out the water, which was as precious as his life, not into his mouth but into the pump. He was thus blessed by Heaven and saved.
If he had not considered others and simply took the pot of water with him, he might have been able to survive for a few more days, but he probably would not have been able to get out of the desert alive. Selfishly taking the water and not giving back would be contrary to the characteristics of the universe, and he would likely be punished by heaven.
Today we have obtained Dafa, which is an opportunity that only comes along in ten thousand years. But many sentient beings are not as fortunate as we and are still waiting and searching in the “vast desert.” We should also give them the oasis of the truth of Dafa. We cannot be selfish about our own salvation and not consider others. Then we would not have escaped the desert of the soul. Matter and mind are one thing. In the end, if we cling to selfishness, I'm afraid we won't be able to get out of the external desert—the old universe.
Let us spread the oasis of the truth of Dafa. Let us save sentient beings and walk out of the desert of mind and body together!
