This is one of those stories that my grandmother told my mother and it passed on to me. It made me realize my worth as a human being or a girl – new age girl that is! This story is an epitome of building self esteem and discovering the “you”!
There was once a cobra named “Heera”. Amongst the entire breed of snakes, Heera was the bravest, fine looking, and handsomest of all. The other cobras envied him for the female cobras lured Heera and wanted him to be with him. He was the prince charming of the cobra clan. Every evening Heera used to hang around with his friends in the fine burrows of the City. He was the gentlest, sensitive, non-violent and humble of all the snakes. His friends mocked and teased him by saying “our heera is a ravishing vegetarian rat” and then they would all laugh about it. He loved the company of his friends, Heera used to laugh with them and pull each other’s leg. Every evening Heera used to enjoy the weather in the city and chat with his friends and then return home late. Heera’s father was a stringent cobra and wanted him to be home till midnight.
Days passed and Heera enjoyed his bachelorhood, checking out other attractive female cobras with his friends, munching, chatting merrily and returning home by mid-night. Months passed now but Heera’s confidence loosened day by day. His friends asked him for his everlasting awful mood and the reason behind his gloominess, but he never told them anything.
Heera’s condition worsened after a few days, his family thought he wasn’t well but the reason could not be found. Meanwhile every day Heera was injured and his wounds were really deep with bleeding scars, cuts and wounds. His friends and family were worried by seeing the abrasions on Heera’s fine body. He never told anybody anything and always came up with some justification or the other by changing the topic of discussion.
One day, Heera was so hurt that he was on the verge of death. His mother swore on him and asked him the reason. Heera started crying like a baby. He couldn't speak. After his mother wrapped him in her arms and asked him the reason again, Heera with tears in his eyes said -“Mumma, I have been the most non violent, gentle and humble snakes in my life. I haven’t caused anybody any harm ever. I care for everybody’s feelings and I do nothing wrong. I care for everybody’s feelings, and have always done the “Right” thing throughout my life. Then why each time when I cross the road the human beings on the road start shouting “”SNAKE SNAKE” and start hitting me with stones? I have no intentions of biting anybody ever then why do they hit me daily? I thought I could talk to them and sort matters out but the moment they look at me they start throwing stones at me till I bleed and act dead. Is being a snake a curse? Am I so bad that people hate me and hit me brutally? But I promise Mom that I have been always at my best behavior and I have not harmed or attacked anybody ever so why do they injure me every day? I pray every night to God saying if I am so worthless, dear God, why did you make me a snake?”
Mummy smiled and answered, she wasn’t worried anymore and knew how to handle poor Heera’s problem. She said- My son, we are the most vicious of all the species. It’s just that human beings are scared of us and they feel insecure that we may bite them. As a practice to self defense they throw stones at us. God has given us fangs for the same purpose. If we let somebody bully us – he will bully us! But if we show them that we are strong enough not to be bullied or taken advantage of then we respect ourselves. Power and Strength are to be used in the most righteous ways. She continued “Son if they don’t know your worth they will hurt you every day”. If you show them your fangs and your value clearly mentioning “I am a snake, I am not to be taken advantage of – Let go off me”, then no one can harm you. I am not telling you to bite them at the same time you are my fine and powerful son who cannot be hit by a human every day. Show them that the snake is never week and powerless”
Self respect is significant. If we let someone bully us be it our colleague, friend or boss…we are not only falling week but at the same time cordially inviting the other to harm us -
1. Learn to say NO to things/people who bring you down and crush our feelings.
2. Remember the one who suffers knowingly is an equal criminal than the one who commits the crime
3. Domestic violence/ sexual harassment or eve teasing – If not fought against can make him the most powerful bully. Not fighting against injustice or crime or not raising voice for corruption or bully’s is not being gentle, humble or sensitive - It is equally criminal. Standing up for your rights and showing or proving your worth has got nothing to do with education but awareness so that you are not hurt and are taken granted for.
Later that I came to know that my grandmother narrated the interesting version of Swami Vivekananda
Let people say whatever they like, stick to your own convictions, and rest assured, the world will be at your feet. They say, "Have faith in this fellow or that fellow", but I say, "Have faith in yourself first", that's the way. Have faith in yourself -- all power is in you -- be conscious and bring it out. Say, "I can do everything." "Even the poison of a snake is powerless if you can firmly deny it." Beware! No saying "nay", no negative thoughts! Say, "Yea, Yea," "So'ham, So'ham"--"I am He! I am He!" – Swami Vivekananda
