Officer and Peon

Once upon a time, there lived two friends in a village. They often went on long journeys together. One of them had a horse, and so he always rode from place to place. The other walked by his side and he liked to carry a big soft pillow under his arm.

Once when they were traveling thus, men saluted the friend on horse‑back, for, they believed him to be a big officer. They paid no notice to the man with the pillow, for; they thought of him as a peon, carrying the bundle of clothes belonging to his master.

After a few miles of journey, the two friends entered a choultry (rest area), with a broad pail. The friend who had walked wished to rest for a time. He placed the pillow against the wall, and using it as a head‑rest, stretched his legs. His friend led the horse by its reins, and went round the garden in front of the choultry, searching for some shade where he could tether it, before joining his companion. People who saw them then, saluted the `man with the pillow,’ for they believed he was a big officer. They paid no notice to the man with the horse, for; they thought of him as a peon, looking after his master’s horse.

But, the friends did not care. They knew that the villagers did not know the truth. They were only guessing from what they saw for a little while. They were hasty in forming opinions. Those who honor us today may well dishonor us tomorrow. We should not care for what people think of us. We must do our duty, and stick to truth, whatever people may say or may not say.

~Baba
Source: Sanathana Sarathi, March 1973