THE STORY OF MULLA NASRUDDIN'S LOST HOUSE-KEY








We are going to complete thirty years, in coming September, since we started THE DAWN CLUB. Over these three decades, we have been quietly, yet consistently, carrying out the ‘mission’ we had set out for – to help young ones to 'find' their self-confidence…

Now, you see, helping another person to ‘find’ his self-confidence is like the over-enthusiastic ‘public’ joining  Mulla Nasruddin in his desperate search for his lost house-key! If you have missed out on this story, let me narrate it to you, here…

One day, Mulla Nasruddin was desperately searing for something near the lamp post in a street.

“Mulla, what is that you are searing for?” asked some curious onlookers.

“I have lost my house-key,” replied the Mulla.

“Is it?” exclaimed the concerned public and joined him in the search.

A lot of time went by, Mulla’s house-key was nowhere to be found. Finally, one of the onlookers asked Mulla, “Do you remember where you had lost your key?”

“In the house,” answered  the Mulla, casually.

“What?” reacted every one, “Then, why the hell are you searching for it here, in the street?”

“Because, there is no light in the house,” reasoned out  our enlightened Mulla!


How sensible!

Mulla is not an idiot… We all are!

He just happens to be there as we all walk by our paths searching for our lost house-keys… Yes, the keys of ‘our houses’…

The house of happiness… The house of peace… The house of success… The house of self-confidence…

But, where have we lost our house-keys?

Funny it seems… Very funny!


During the last two weeks or so, I have spoken to at least two dozen curious and over-enthusiastic parents or young ones… All are desperately searching for that lost house-key – the key to self-confidence…

And, I tell them, “Go back and find where you have lost it… Not here”!

Yes, here you may see the lamp post. But, this lamp post is lit by me… It won’t help you to find your house-key. To find your house-key, go back home and light your own lamp…

Only a few understand this Mulla’s paradox…

And, as they say, “The story goes on”…

The story of Mulla Nasruddin’s lost house-key!






GERALD D’CUNHA

Pic.: Anil Bedi

 Video: Gaur Gopal Das

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