The parable of good and bad deeds

How to distinguish bad deeds from good ones?

Oscar and Mickey were very happy with the new interesting knowledge that helped them look at the meaning of actions and deeds in a new way, but they still had questions, and their heartfelt conversation with Grandpa continued.

— I understand, — Oscar said joyfully, — when I come to the fair of life, every action I want to take, I should first try it on myself. Do I want the same thing done to me? And if yes, then do the action or deed and receive good and sturdy bricks for it. My house will be strong, and no rain can destroy it. And if I don't want that action done to me — then don't do it. And so, we can distinguish between good and bad actions, and snakes won't be able to deceive us and slip in their rotten brick, right, Grandpa?

— Yes, my children, that's right, — said the satisfied grandfather, continuing, — for example, do you want to be deceived? No, then it's a bad action, and don't take it and don't deceive anyone. Do you want to be called names and insulted — no, then that's also a bad action, and don't do it, even if you really want to. And it doesn't matter who's on the other side of the action — a friend, a mother, or a kitten. You'll still get a bad brick for a bad deed! Even if you break a regular tree that did nothing to you and can't replace yourself, you'll still get a rotten brick from the snakes. That's the fair of life, my little ones — the deed you do, the brick you get.

— Well, well! — exclaimed Oscar joyfully and surprised, — and why didn't I know about this before! And «stealing a painting and giving it to a friend» is a bad action? But I'll make my friend happy!

— Put yourself in the shoes of the person whose painting was stolen, Oscar — would they feel bad? Indeed, they would, — said Grandpa, — now imagine you're in your friend's position when they find out the painting was stolen — wouldn't they feel bad and awkward? Of course, they would. And you would also feel bad when everything comes to light… that's a triple bad deed. That's how easily we realize that it's a bad action, by simply putting ourselves in other people's shoes and applying the rule of «do not do to others what you do not wish done to yourself». And there's no need to wonder if the theft will be uncovered or not — the bad deed is done, and you've received a rotten brick as a result! And even in a good barn, you can't hide from the rain that falls from heaven.

— Grandfather, and for what and how, can you still use the rule «do to others what you want to yourself»? Mickey asked.

— It's only half the job to determine what action is proposed for you in the fair of life, — replied Grandpa, — It's good if you make the right choice, but it's far more important to do the right thing well! And to do that, apply our rule in this way — «do unto others AS you would have them do unto you»!

— This means, — Mickey continued the conversation, — if I took the task «help a friend weed his garden» at the fair of life, should I do it as if it were my own garden? Is that right, Grandpa?

— Yes, Mickey, that's right. Imagine that it's your own garden and do it in such a way that the result pleases you too! Help and weed all the weeds very carefully, so that it becomes the most beautiful garden!

— With such an approach, it will be a doubly good deed! And they'll probably give us more good bricks, — Oscar wisely concluded.

— But the most important thing is not to forget that it's someone else's little garden! — Mickey joked with a laugh.

And laughing, they all laughed together at Mickey's joke, all together, and then decided to stretch a little, relax and think about what was said.