Short story: Build your life on the qualities of a rock

the Devils Marbles rocks
@innertalks (23746)
Australia
June 30, 2023 1:02am CST
The old Australian Aboriginal elder, known as Uncle Durah, was from the Arika tribe. He used to be a storyteller, and he would tell his tales to the younger members, in his clan. Here is one of his stories: "There once was a large rock, immovable by anyone at all." "And we called this rock the big rock, or arrabara boi, as it also had some hollows in it, where animals would live." "When I was young, my father took me to this rock, and he painted a picture on it of me, his son, playing with a goanna." "My father would chip away at the rock to shape his drawing, and then he would colour it, by using various pigments to do so, mixed from various clays, and minerals, and then applied to the rock, with his finger." "Some rocks were once men, as when they acted greedily in their tribe, the spirit of the land, turned them into large rocks." "Whenever we go out, we always go out not alone, as these rocks, holding the spirits of these greedy men, are still waiting there as rocks, to roll onto you, when the opportunity arrives." "Such rock drawings, and paintings, are a type of history recording, that link the past to the present." "My father told me that if l can live my life based on the good qualities of a rock though, l will live a strong, and steadfast life, holding steadily to values of strength, peace, and love." "A rock is strong, peaceful, and loving, to all around it too." Photo Credit: The photo used in this article was sourced from the free media site, pixabay.com The picture is of the Devil's Marbles rocks (a sacred site, known as Karlu Karlu, in the Warumungu People's language) in the Northern Territory, Australia. Maybe they were once greedy men too, as they look ready to roll on you, at any moment.
2 people like this
2 responses
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
30 Jun 23
Greed can turn your heart to stone (rock). Instead, build your life on the Rock, Jesus Christ, and your heart won't turn to stone.
3 people like this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
1 Jul 23
@innertalks Excellent verse.
2 people like this
@innertalks (23746)
• Australia
1 Jul 23
Yes, that is what I was trying to imply from the story. We should not allow anything to turn our heart to stone, but we still need to have the strong foundation, of God, in our life too. This quote from Ezekiel, chapter 11, verse 19 agrees with this point. A new spirit in us, gives us the flexible heart of love. "I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone, and give them a heart of flesh."
3 people like this
@Shiva49 (28406)
• Singapore
30 Jun 23
Nature is part of our lives as we are also part of it too. We could have been anything before and then after too. We think any other species/part of creation will be a demotion but then we need to think if we become a tree, we can be less selfish than now. We can shelter and feed others who seek them. With the right attitude, we can spread helpfulness and cheer. Nature has eyes and ears spread all over. Nothing is hidden in the whole scheme of things.
1 person likes this
@innertalks (23746)
• Australia
1 Jul 23
Nicely enunciated, siva Yes, nothing is hidden other than that that we hide from ourselves, with the blindness of greed, and other non-loving attitudes. Nature works in an open way, and hides nothing from the discerning eye.
1 person likes this
@innertalks (23746)
• Australia
2 Jul 23
@Shiva49 It is hard to get rid of handed-down possessions, as they have meant much in the life of the one handed down from. My Uncle kept a diary of his world trip in 1955, and it is still good reading today. What to do with it after I go though, as I have no one to hand it down to too. Yes, we are a part of nature, but we can affect nature, either in a good way, or in a bad way, too.
1 person likes this
@Shiva49 (28406)
• Singapore
2 Jul 23
@innertalks Yes, some possessions are worth preserving down the generations. I have gotten hold of a few of my parent's possessions. Then as you say, no idea where they will end up later. However, a few go after those just for the sake of accumulating them as if they are forever. The reality hits home as they get near kicking their buckets. They will then feel they have nothing else to hold on to.
1 person likes this