"The magic thread"

I read a good story recently in a Joshua Harris book. It is easy to wish our life away, especially when it comes to work-wanting to get through the day as quick as possible. This story is a poignant reminder for all!

In the book of Virtues, William J.Bennett tells a story called "The Magic Thread". In this French tale we read of Peter, a boy who is strong and able, yet sadly flawed by an attitude of impatience. Always dissatisfied with his present condition, peter spends his life day-dreaming about the future.

One day while wandering in the forest, Peter meets a strange old woman who gives him a once in a life time opportunity- the chance to skip the old mundane moments in life. She hands Peter a small silver ball from which tiny gold thread dangles. "This is your life thread", she explains. "Do not touch it and time with pass normally. But if you wish time to pass quicker you only have to pull the golden thread. But I warn you, once the thread has been pulled out, it cannot be pushed back in again".

This magical thread seems to answer to all of Peter's problems. Its just what he always wanted. The following day Peter is at school. The lesson is dragging and he gets told off for not paying attention. Peter reaches for the silver ball and tugs at the thread. Suddenly the teacher dismisses the class and its the end of school. From this moment on Peter pulls the thread a little everyday. But soon peter uses the ball to rush through larger portions of life. Why waste time pulling a little of the thread when he can use it everyday? He does so and finds himself completed school and working.

Peter uses the same technique to rush through the marriage of his sweetheart.Peter continues this passage through his life. When trying times come, Peter uses the golden thread as his get out. When the baby is crying, when hit with finiancial struggles, when wishing his children to be launched into careers, out came the magic thread. But sadly when it comes to the end of Peter's life, Peter realises the emptiness of his existence. Peter had robbed himself of life's precious moments by rushing through them.