Years ago a professor shared a story with us in one of his lectures. He shared a story of a young boy and his best friend, he and his friend often liked going outside and playing. Oftentimes getting into mischief as is to be expected with boys. Usually, they just liked running around and playing in the dirt and around town as most boys do. One day as they were out playing together they came across a building that had many large wood boxes stacked neatly outside, the boxes were away from the street and out of the way and two young boys looked like the perfect play equipment.
The boys played for hours laughing and enjoying their time out of the house unaware of any nearby danger. Eventually, playtime came to a close and they returned to their houses seemly untouched by any harm that could have befallen them as they were away from the house that day. Days later his friend fell ill, in the days that followed he got worse and passed away.
Later he discovered that the wood boxes that had given them so much entertainment had been coffins being prepared for burial, coffins that carried bodies ridden with disease. His young friend had fallen ill due to an epidemic that had spread throughout the city. What had seemed innocent and harmless had actually been fatal.
This story has come to my mind many times throughout the years thinking of how many things we entertain ourselves with that actually cause us harm. Now as we face a worldwide crisis I wonder how many of us are like the two boys seeking out entertainment that can be to our detriment, putting us and everyone around us in danger. A sad realization in my mind is that some of us seek pleasure in the face of danger with our eyes wide open, knowing that there is a risk; making it all the more tempting. So many believe in an invincibility that does not exist for any of us. Death picks unfair targets with no basis of preference.
I pray that we can be wise and not mock the unfortunate fate that falls on those who build their lives on the pursuit of pleasure when there is something of infinite value on the line.
The boys played for hours laughing and enjoying their time out of the house unaware of any nearby danger. Eventually, playtime came to a close and they returned to their houses seemly untouched by any harm that could have befallen them as they were away from the house that day. Days later his friend fell ill, in the days that followed he got worse and passed away.
Later he discovered that the wood boxes that had given them so much entertainment had been coffins being prepared for burial, coffins that carried bodies ridden with disease. His young friend had fallen ill due to an epidemic that had spread throughout the city. What had seemed innocent and harmless had actually been fatal.
This story has come to my mind many times throughout the years thinking of how many things we entertain ourselves with that actually cause us harm. Now as we face a worldwide crisis I wonder how many of us are like the two boys seeking out entertainment that can be to our detriment, putting us and everyone around us in danger. A sad realization in my mind is that some of us seek pleasure in the face of danger with our eyes wide open, knowing that there is a risk; making it all the more tempting. So many believe in an invincibility that does not exist for any of us. Death picks unfair targets with no basis of preference.
I pray that we can be wise and not mock the unfortunate fate that falls on those who build their lives on the pursuit of pleasure when there is something of infinite value on the line.
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