Story about change: What is really holding you back from success

A long time ago, a Monk set out on his travels accompanied by his assistant, a Brother. As night began to fall, the Monk instructed the Brother to go ahead and find lodging for the night. The Brother searched the barren landscape until he stumbled upon a small, humble shack standing alone in the vast wilderness. In that shack lived a poor family, the father, mother, and their children, all dressed in ragged clothing. The Brother approached them and politely asked if he and the Monk could spend the night in their home. Despite their poverty, the father warmly welcomed them. The family prepared a simple meal of fresh milk, cheese, and cream, it was a modest offering, yet given with great generosity. The Brother was deeply moved by their kindness, especially considering how little they had. As they finished their meal, the Monk, observing their living conditions, asked how they managed to survive in such a remote and desolate place. The family exchanged glances before the father finally responded with a resigned tone. They had one possession of great value, a cow. This single cow provided their milk, which they sold to nearby neighbors, though they kept just enough for themselves to make cheese and cream. It was their sole source of sustenance and income. The next morning, as the Monk and the Brother prepared to continue their journey, they bid farewell to the family. They had barely walked a few miles when the Monk stopped suddenly and turned to the Brother. With a calm yet firm voice, he instructed, “Go back and push the cow off the cliff.” The Brother was taken aback. He hesitated and protested, explaining that the cow was the family’s only means of survival. Without it, they would be left with nothing. But the Monk repeated his command, his expression unwavering. Bound by his vow of obedience, the Brother reluctantly obeyed, though his heart was heavy with guilt. He returned to the shack, led the cow to the edge of the cliff, and with a sorrowful heart, pushed it over. 

Years passed, and the Brother, now a Monk himself, found himself once again traveling along the same road. A deep sense of remorse still weighed on him, and he felt compelled to visit the family whose livelihood he had taken away. But as he approached the familiar place, he was met with a shocking sight. Instead of the small, crumbling shack, a grand mansion now stood in its place. Lush gardens surrounded it, and the land exuded an air of prosperity and happiness. Confused, the Monk knocked on the door. A well-dressed man answered, and the Monk, still bewildered, asked what had happened to the poor family who had once lived there. “Did they sell the land to you?” he asked. The man looked surprised. He explained that he and his family had always lived there. Perplexed, the Monk recounted the story of how he and his master had once stayed in a small, dilapidated hut at that very spot. The man smiled and invited the Monk to stay for a meal. As they ate, the host explained what had happened. “We once had a cow,” he said. “She was our only means of survival. We relied on her for milk, cheese, and cream. We thought we were doing well because she kept us fed. But one day, she fell off a cliff and died. We were devastated and had no idea how we would survive. With no other choice, we were forced to think differently. We started to plant crops, trade goods, and learn new skills. Little by little, we built a better life for ourselves. Losing the cow was the best thing that ever happened to us.” The Monk sat in silence, contemplating the man’s words. The very thing they had believed was keeping them alive had, in reality, been holding them back. The cow had made them comfortable in their struggle, preventing them from seeking greater opportunities. It took the loss of their only security for them to realize their full potential.