In a big urban city, a madman wandered around every day. No one knew who he was, where he came from, or how he ended up there. People didn’t even care where he lived.
One day, a wealthy young man approached him. Giving him a thousand rupees, he asked, “Where are you from? What’s your name? Please tell me.”
The madman looked at him blankly. No one had ever asked him what he was or what his name was. He replied to the wealthy young man, “I can’t answer either question about where I’m from or what my name is. Please don’t offend me.”
The wealthy young man didn’t insist on knowing his name or address, but he asked again, “Why are you making yourself mad? Have you gained anything by being mad?”
The madman said, “What do you know about my sorrow and grief? People only think about themselves. You would only understand if you were like me.”
Hearing this, the young landowner smiled and asked sharply, “So, what is your sorrow?”
“Once upon a time, I was in love with a young girl,” said madman. “I gave her everything I wanted. But at some point, she left me. Unable to forget and heartbroken, I decided that going mad was the only thing to do.”
The young wealthy smiled and said, “You are the most foolish person in the world. You lost your great dream and ambition because a young girl abandoned you. And now, you’re mad, thinking only about yourself. I, too, fell in love with a girl. I was also abandoned by my love. But unlike you, I didn’t want to go mad. I cannot hate people or the world. I decided to be the wealthiest, most active, happiest, and most peaceful. Don’t get discouraged if someone rejects you, don’t dwell on destruction, don’t get yourself into trouble, just aim to live happily and peacefully.”
He added, “I can still help you if you want to live in peace and contribute to the community. Come to think of it, you’re not the only person in the world who’s ever been rejected.”
The madman’s mindset shifted. He thought, “I’m not the only person anyone’s ever looked down on.”