Wisdom story: Things aren't always what they seem

Two traveling angels were journeying through the land when night fell, and they needed a place to rest. They arrived at a grand mansion, its walls gleaming in the moonlight. The owner of the mansion was a wealthy man, his riches evident in the lavish decorations and the large feast laid out on his table. But despite his wealth, the man was unkind. He looked down at the angels with suspicion and begrudgingly allowed them to stay, but not in one of his many luxurious guest rooms. Instead, he sent them to the cold, damp basement where old furniture and forgotten belongings were stacked against the walls. As the angels settled into their uncomfortable resting place, the younger angel noticed something peculiar. There was a hole in one of the basement walls. He was about to point it out when he saw the older angel kneel down and carefully repair the hole, sealing it completely. Confused, the younger angel asked, “Why did you fix it? This man was rude to us. Shouldn’t we just leave it as it is?” The older angel simply smiled and replied, “Things aren’t always what they seem.”

The next evening, the angels arrived at a much humbler home. It belonged to a poor farmer and his wife. Their house was small, their clothes worn, and their food scarce. Yet, when they saw the weary travelers at their doorstep, their faces lit up with kindness. They welcomed the angels inside, shared what little food they had, and even insisted they sleep in their own bed so the travelers could rest well. The angels were touched by the couple’s generosity and warmth. They spent the night in comfort, feeling the love and kindness of their hosts. But when the morning came, they awoke to find the farmer and his wife in tears. Their only cow, the source of their milk and only means of income, lay lifeless in the field. The younger angel was outraged. “This is so unfair!” he exclaimed. “The rich man had everything but was selfish, yet you helped him by fixing his wall. This poor family had almost nothing, yet they gave us everything they could. And now their only cow is dead! How could you let this happen?”

The older angel looked at the younger one with patience and said, “Things aren’t always what they seem.” The younger angel frowned, but the older one continued, “When we stayed in the mansion, I saw that there was gold hidden inside that hole in the basement wall. The rich man was blinded by greed. He never shared his wealth, and he never would. So, I sealed the hole, making sure he would never find the treasure that could have made him even richer.” The younger angel remained silent, processing the words. The older angel then explained further, “Last night, as we slept peacefully in the farmer’s bed, I saw the Angel of Death come for the farmer’s wife. I pleaded with him to take the cow instead. The farmer and his wife have lost an animal, but they still have each other. They still have love, and with that, they will find a way to rebuild. Things aren’t always what they seem.” Hearing this, the younger angel felt humbled. He realized that life often works in ways that are difficult to understand. What seems unfair at first might actually be a hidden blessing, just as what appears fortunate might be a disguised misfortune. From that day on, he learned to trust that even in the face of hardship, there might be a greater plan unfolding. The angels continued their journey, carrying with them the wisdom that things aren’t always what they seem.