Story about communication: The meaning of appearance

Once upon a time, a Russian peasant decided to visit Moscow, the grand city he had heard so much about. He had spent his whole life in a small village, working the land, and had never stepped foot in such a bustling place. When he arrived, he was in awe of the towering buildings, the crowded streets, and the sounds of the city that surrounded him. Eager to experience the wonders of Moscow, he made his way to the fanciest hotel he could find. His boots were covered in mud from his long journey, his clothes were tattered, and his hair was unkempt. Despite his rough appearance, the clerk at the front desk greeted him with a warm smile and handed him a key to one of the finest rooms in the hotel, located on the very top floor. The peasant, full of excitement, began his ascent up the hotel’s grand, spiraling staircase. As he climbed, he marveled at the beauty around him golden chandeliers, velvet carpets, and walls adorned with elegant artwork. Everything felt like a dream. When he reached the first floor, something unexpected happened. Right in front of him stood a tall, imposing figure. It had wild, ragged clothes, dirt-stained boots, and an unkempt beard. The peasant had never seen such a terrifying-looking stranger before. His heart pounded in his chest. The figure stared directly at him, mirroring his every movement. In fear, the peasant let out a growl, and, to his horror, the figure growled right back at him. He shouted in anger, demanding that the strange man step aside, but the stranger did the same.

Terrified, the peasant bolted up the next flight of stairs, hoping to escape. When he reached the second floor, he came face to face with the mysterious figure once more. Again, he shouted, and again, the stranger shouted back at him, just as fierce and stubborn as before. Panicked, the peasant continued to run up the grand staircase. On the third floor, the beastly figure appeared yet again, meeting his gaze with equal intensity. The peasant clenched his fists, preparing to defend himself. He spat out angry insults, but the man in front of him did the same. It was as if they were locked in a battle neither could win. Exhausted and overwhelmed, the peasant finally turned and ran back down to the hotel lobby. He rushed to the front desk, breathless and shaken, and told the clerk about the terrifying stranger who had been following him. The hotel clerk, understanding what had happened, gave him a kind smile. Rather than embarrass or shame him, he simply explained, “That strange-looking man is not an enemy, my friend. He is here to protect the hotel’s guests. But here’s the trick, if you show him anger, he will do the same to you. However, if you greet him with kindness, he will return it.” The peasant listened carefully, uncertain but curious. He thanked the clerk and cautiously made his way back up the stairs. As he arrived on the first floor, he hesitated, took a deep breath, and then smiled at the figure in front of him. To his astonishment, the figure smiled back. He lifted a hand in greeting, and the figure did the same. Slowly, he realized the truth, he had been looking at his own reflection in a mirror all along. A wave of relief and laughter washed over him. All his fear and anger had been for nothing. The beast he had feared was nothing more than his own image staring back at him. With a lighter heart, he continued his journey up to his room, this time without fear. That night, as he lay in the softest bed he had ever known, he thought about what had happened. He had learned an important lesson about how we see the world often depends on what we bring into it. Anger and fear can make enemies out of shadows, but kindness and understanding can turn those same shadows into friends. And so, the peasant returned to his village with more than just stories of the great city. He carried with him a newfound wisdom, and that is that the world reflects back what we give to it.