The Fire and the Stone
Being struck by the steel, a flintstone was quite surprised and said stiffly: “Why do you presume to trouble me so? Trouble me no more. You have mistaken me for someone else, for I have never hurt anyone.”
The steel replied: “If you’re patient, you’ll see what marvellous results you can produce.” At these words, the flint resigned itself and withstood the torment patiently, and soon saw itself produce a marvellous fire, whose powers worked in a countless ways.
This applies to those who are fearful when they begin their studies. Later, after they set out to attain mastery over themselves, and patiently give continual attention to their studies, we see them produce things of marvellous effect.
The Razor
The razor having one day come forth from the handle which serves as its sheath and having placed himself in the sun, saw the sun reflected in his body, which filled him with great pride. And turning it over in his thoughts he began to say to himself: “And shall I return again to that shop from which I have just come? Certainly not; such splendid beauty shall not, please God, be turned to such base uses. What folly it would be that could lead me to shave the lathered beards of rustic peasants and perform such menial service! Is this body destined for such work? Certainly not. I will hide myself in some retired spot and there pass my life in tranquil repose.” And having thus remained hidden for some months, one day he came out into the air, and issuing from his sheath, saw himself turned to the similitude of a rusty saw while his surface no longer reflected the resplendent sun. With useless repentance he vainly deplored the irreparable mischief saying to himself: “Oh! how far better was it to employ at the barbers my lost edge of such exquisite keenness! Where is that lustrous surface? It has been consumed by this vexatious and unsightly rust.”
The same thing happens to those minds which instead of exercise give themselves up to sloth. They are like the razor here spoken of, and lose the keenness of their edge, while the rust of ignorance spoils their form.