An Indian Story (That Is What I Am, That Is What I Do.) Poem by Dr. Antony Theodore

There was a quiet man who would pray in the Ganges River every morning.
One day he saw a poisonous spider struggling in the water. He cupped his hands and carried it ashore.
As he placed the spider on the ground, it stung him.

The strength of his prayer saved him from the poison.

The next day the same thing happened. On the third day again the man saw the spider in the water struggling.

This time the spider asked him: "Why do you save me always from the water. Don't you see that I sting because, that is what I am, that is what I do".
And the kind man cupped his hands and while lifting the spider from the water, said. "Look that is what I do, that is what I am"
There are many reasons to be kind. But nothing is so powerful as to tell oneself: "that is what I am, that is what I do".