The Island of Emotions:
Once upon a time there was an island where all the feelings lived; happiness, sadness, knowledge, and all the others, including love. One day it was announced to all of the feelings that the island was going to sink to the bottom of the ocean. So all the feelings prepared their boats to leave. Love was the only one that stayed. She wanted to preserve the island paradise until the last possible moment.
Love’s Search for Help
When the island was almost totally under, Love decided it was time to leave. She began looking for someone to ask for help. Just then Richness was passing by in a grand boat. Love asked, “Richness, Can I come with you on your boat?” Richness answered, ” I’m sorry, but there is a lot of silver and gold on my boat and there would be no room for you anywhere.”
Then Love decided to ask Vanity for help who was passing in a beautiful vessel. Love cried out, “Vanity, help me please.” “I can’t help you,” Vanity said, “You are all wet and will damage my beautiful boat.”
Next, Love saw Sadness passing by. Love said, “Sadness, please let me go with you.” Sadness answered, “Love, I’m sorry, but, I just need to be alone now.”
Then, Love saw Happiness. Love cried out, “Happiness, please take me with you.” But Happiness was so overjoyed, that he didn’t hear Love calling to him.
Love’s Rescue
Love began to cry. Then, she heard a voice say, “Come Love, I will take you with me.” It was an elder.
Love felt so blessed and overjoyed that she forgot to ask the elder his name. When they arrived on land the elder went on his way. Love realized how much she owed the elder.
Love then found Knowledge and asked, “Who was it that helped me?”
“It was Time,” Knowledge answered. “But why did Time help me when no one else would?”, Love asked.
Knowledge smiled and with deep wisdom and sincerity, answered, “Because only Time is capable of understanding how great Love is.”
~ Author unknown
It is only with the perspective afforded by time that the true value of love can be fully understood and appreciated.
~ William McGill
Interpreting the Parable
In this story, I believe the sinking island signifies the transient nature of all phenomena. Love’s perseverance on the island demonstrates the enduring quality of love, even in the face of impermanence.
The refusal of Richness, Vanity, Sadness, and Happiness to aid Love, underscores the notion of interdependence, that all feelings and experiences are interconnected and none can truly exist in isolation. Richness, Vanity, Sadness, and Happiness were consumed with their own conditions, failing to realize the interconnectedness and mutual interdependence of all emotions.
The elder, identified as Time, represents the concept of patience and understanding that comes with the passage of time. Time, in its infinite wisdom and boundless span, is capable of understanding and appreciating the magnitude of Love. The elder’s willingness to assist Love reflects the virtue of compassion, and the wish for all beings to be free from suffering.
