Whose Burden Is It?

One day, a man was traveling on foot down the road. He carried a loaded bag which became increasingly heavy, as did the road become more uneven and dusty. The man came upon a dove which spoke to him.

"Let me ease your burden. Allow me to carry your load in my beak". But the man refused stating, "NO, this is my load, I've paid for it, so I shall carry it".

Further down the road when the man's arms were aching and his legs burning from the ever increasing heaviness of his load, he met a donkey.

Seeing his need the donkey offered his help. "Let me ease your burden friend. Allow me to carry your load and yourself, for I am strong". Still, the man refused the help, stating he deserved to carry his precious load.

Not knowing how long or far he had walked, the man trembled, his body weak, aching, and bloodied from tripping with his heavy load. As he squinted at the sun, a large shadow fell across his face. The trunk of an elephant raised before him, shading his burnt, dry skin from the harshness of the sun. 

Delirious with pain and thirst, the man's distrust of the elephant led him to strike out against him. The elephant calmly accepted the unprovoked strikes.

When the man was spent and prepared for the worst, the elephant spoke, "What causes you so much grief that you distrust that which is bigger than you? That which could either crush you or carry you"?

Weak and frightened, the man confessed his desperate need to carry his load on his own; coveting his purchases and never thinking to allow another to help him. They were his after all, why would anyone want to help carry his burdens?

Elephant loomed over the man; imposing in stature yet somehow soothing by nature. He realized then that his fears had eased. Elephant shared the truth with the man, now that he was ready to listen. "It's simple, but you had to travel this journey to understand. The load you carried was full of things that you did purchase. Truly, each item was yours and your burden alone, when you were alone. But you see, each time you were asked to share your burden, and you denied them, your load increased. You became more tired, frustrated, and your desperation increased. Your shame made you so proud that you could not share your burden with others; yet they offered because they too carried burdens unseen by you. Your pride pushed you to the limits until you surely were staring death in the face; ready to accept your fate without question".

You have reached a point where you will be crushed or you can put down your burdens and share your weaknesses, giving you strength.