Our Origins

As twilight descended upon a serene city, the sun cast its final golden rays over the tranquil surface of a nearby lake. The water, reflecting the vibrant hues of the evening sky, rippled gently, creating a sense of calm and tranquillity that permeated the surrounding landscape. A chorus of birdsong and the rustling of leaves whispered through the air, adding to the atmosphere of quiet introspection.

Jacques, sat on a wooden bench near the water's edge, his tailored suit appearing out of place in the midst of nature's splendor. Despite the beauty of his surroundings, a cloud of melancholy hung over him, casting a shadow on his weary face. He was feeling adrift, weighed down by the sense of insignificance that threatened to consume him, as he questioned the meaning of his life in a seemingly indifferent world.

Beside him stood The Invisible Man, his face remained hidden beneath the wide brim of a fedora. A thin trail of smoke escaped from the corner of his mouth as he took a slow, deliberate drag from his hand-rolled cigar. The taste of dark, aged tobacco mingled with the cool evening air, grounding him in the present moment.

As the smoke of the cigar disappeared into the evening, Jacques broke the silence. His voice was lethargic, revealing the weariness within. "I feel small, insignificant," he sighed, his breath clouding the air before him, "as if everything I've done amounts to nothing, and I'm just drifting through this world without purpose. I have no idea where I come from and where I am going."

The Invisible Man remained silent for a moment, the glow of his cigar momentarily flaring as he took another slow, deliberate puff. The smoke wrapped around his obscured face like a veil, as if to further conceal his identity. Finally The Invisible Man spoke, in a smooth and steady voice, betraying no emotion. "Wolf Larson had the best response to hyper-sensitive emotions that you have about yourself Jacques, with his version of the Sower’s fable."

Jacques looked up, his furrowed brow softening with curiosity. "Wolf Larson? the Sower’s Fable?" he replied, intrigued by the sudden change of topic.

A faint, knowing smile played on the lips of The Invisible Man, barely visible beneath the shadows of his fedora. "Forget Wolf Larson, he is a character for another moment," he began, his voice barely rising above the sound of the wind rustling, "but the Sower’s Fable is one which you should know, as it holds a response to your defeated sentiments..."

The Sower’s Fable

The sower walked across the field, scattering seeds without a care in the world. He did not choose where the seeds landed, nor did he pay any attention to their fate. To him, they were just seeds, nothing more.

He watched with an absolute indifference as his seeds were carried off by the wind, landing in unexpected places. Some landed in the crevices of rocks, where they would struggle to survive. Others were carried away by birds, who would scatter them across the countryside.

The sower continued to walk, oblivious to the fate of the seeds he had scattered. He did not care which seeds lived and which died.

As time passed, the seeds began to grow. Some flourished in the fertile soil, sending down roots and reaching for the sun. Others struggled to survive, landing in rocky ground or being picked off by birds.

One of the seeds had been blown by the wind and carried far from its origin. It had landed in a place that was neither lucky nor unlucky, a spot that was just one of many. It had landed nowhere.

The seed was nothing but a tiny speck, blown by the wind and landing where it had landed. It had no control over where it would land or what kind of environment it would grow in. It could have easily been eaten by a bird or crushed underfoot, but somehow it managed to take root and sprout.

At first, the seed felt a sense of despair. It had been so excited to fulfill its purpose, to grow and thrive and become a strong plant. But here it was, in a place that seemed unlikely to yield anything.

But as the days passed, the seed began to take stock of its surroundings. It was surrounded by other seeds, all of them as alone and as invisible as itself.

The seed then looked up and watched as the wind blew through the field, carrying other seeds in all directions. Some landed in the rich, dark soil, while others were snatched up by birds or landed on rocky ground.

For the seeds that had landed in the fertile soil, life was good. They grew tall and strong, swaying in the breeze and soaking up the sun. They were the lucky ones, the ones who had found a place to call home.

But for the seeds that had landed in less hospitable places, life was a constant struggle. They fought against the odds, sending out roots and searching for water. Some survived, while others perished.

And still others landed in places that were neither good nor bad, but simply average, with no distinguishing characteristics to aid or hinder their growth.

The Essence of the Sower’s Fable

The Sower's Fable is a simple, yet thought-provoking story that has been passed down through generations. At its core, the fable tells the tale of a Sower who scatters seeds across various types of terrain. With a steady hand, he scatters the seeds, allowing them to fall wherever they may, without attempting to control or influence their landing spots.

As the seeds fall on different surfaces, their fates differ, symbolizing the varied ways in which individuals might respond to the same message or situation.

Outcomes depending on where the seeds fall

As the seeds land on different types of terrain, their fates vary, reflecting the unpredictability of life and the diversity of outcomes that can arise from the same starting point. The fable identifies four distinct types of soil, Pathway, Rocky Ground, Thorny Soil and Good Soil, each symbolizing a unique set of circumstances and challenges:

“Pathway” and the the impermanence of external events

When the seeds fall on the pathway, they are quickly trampled underfoot by passers-by or eaten by birds. The seeds are unable to take root or grow, representing situations in which an individual's efforts or message are quickly disregarded or forgotten.

The seeds that fall on the Pathway represent the impermanence of external events in our lives. We should recognize that circumstances can change rapidly and that our control over these changes is limited. By accepting the transient nature of life, we can focus on cultivating inner virtues and maintaining a sense of equilibrium, regardless of the events unfolding around us.

“Rocky Ground” and the importance of inner strength and self-sufficiency

Some seeds land on rocky ground, where they initially sprout but eventually wither away due to a lack of moisture and nutrients. This represents circumstances where initial enthusiasm or progress is stifled by obstacles, leading to stagnation or failure.

The Rocky Ground symbolizes situations where initial progress is hindered by obstacles. In these circumstances, inner strength and self-sufficiency are the only two remedies. By developing mental fortitude and relying on our own abilities, we can overcome adversity and navigate the challenges that life presents. Furthermore, this resilience enables us to remain steadfast in our pursuit of personal growth and development.

“Thorny Soil” and the detachment from external distractions and desires

In this scenario, seeds fall among thorns and, although they manage to grow, are eventually choked by the surrounding thicket. The Thorny Soil symbolizes the challenges of distractions and competing priorities that can hinder personal growth and development.

Seeds that fall among the thorns face the challenge of being choked by external distractions and desires. By adopting a mindset of detachment, we can minimize the impact of external distractions and desires, ensuring that our personal growth remains uninhibited.

“Good Soil”, where invisible men do not land, nor do they belong

Lastly, the seeds that land on good soil flourish and yield an abundant harvest. This represents the ideal conditions for growth, where an individual's efforts are met with success and progress, highlighting the importance of cultivating an environment conducive to positive outcomes. Good Soil is where invisible men do not land, nor do they belong.

Inevitability of differing outcomes

The Sower's Fable serves as a powerful reminder of the inherent uncertainty that life presents. Just as the seeds in the story encounter various types of soil, individuals will inevitably face a multitude of circumstances, some favourable and others challenging. By understanding that differing outcomes are an inescapable part of life, we can embrace the unpredictability and adapt to the ever-changing landscape of our experiences.

Attitude of acceptance and resilience

The only way to face uncertainty is by cultivating an attitude of acceptance and resilience. Acceptance entails recognizing the limits of our control and relinquishing the desire to influence every aspect of our lives. By focusing on our own actions, virtues, and efforts, we can navigate through the uncertainty with a sense of calm and composure.

Resilience, on the other hand, involves developing the mental fortitude to persevere in the face of adversity. As the fable demonstrates, some seeds are unable to grow due to unfavourable conditions, while others thrive in the face of challenges. By cultivating resilience, we can better adapt to the unpredictable nature of life and find ways to progress, even when faced with obstacles.

As the final words of the Sower's fable hung in the air, the stillness of the lakeside setting seemed to deepen, as if nature itself was holding its breath in anticipation of Jacques' reaction. The sky had now darkened to a velvety indigo, and the silver light of the moon shimmered across the water's surface, casting an ethereal glow over the scene.

Epilouge

Jacques, his eyes reflecting the soft moonlight, sat motionless, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts as he pondered the thoughts The Invisible Man had just shared. His earlier despair had given way to introspection as he searched his soul for an answer, asking himself which type of soil he had landed on as a seed. The weight of the question seemed to rest on his shoulders, causing him to hunch forward, his fingers absently tracing patterns in the damp earth beneath the bench.

The Invisible Man, stood silently holding the smouldering cigar between his fingers, the fragrant smoke curling upwards like tendrils, dissipating into the night sky. The glowing ember at its tip pulsed rhythmically with each slow, measured puff, mimicking the steady heartbeat of a living entity.

As the two men remained in companionable silence, the world around them seemed to pause, allowing Jacques the space to reflect on the fragments he had just heard. The gentle lapping of the lake's water against the shore and the distant rustling of leaves provided a soothing soundtrack, encouraging him to delve deeper into his self-examination.

Finally, Jacques broke the silence, his voice barely audible, as if sharing his thoughts with both the listener beside him and the universe at large. "I'm not certain where I've landed," he admitted, "but atleast I know that I am invisible also."

 The Invisible Man nodded. He took one last puff of his cigar, exhaling a plume of smoke that momentarily obscured his features before drifting away, leaving only the faint aroma of aged tobacco lingering in the air.