The parable of good and bad deeds

There are no better things among the good ones

— Thank you, Grandpa, for your kind advice! We will remember them and put them into practice, — Oscar happily said. But after thinking for a moment, he unexpectedly asked, — but what should we do about the snakes? Earlier, you told us that evil only begets more evil and that we shouldn't respond to snakes in the same way. However, they won't leave us alone. They'll provoke us to do bad things and tempt us with something new, but bad.

— Nothing needs to be done about them, — Grandpa also unexpectedly replied, — we ourselves need to learn not to engage in bad deeds and not to blame others for pushing them onto us or making us do them. It all depends on us.

— Okay, Grandpa, we will learn! — Oscar said joyfully, — and we will only do the very, very best deeds!

— Oscar, you're always drawn to the superlatives. Whether it's the biggest castle or the best deeds, — Grandpa said with a smile and continued, — the point, my children, is not to seek some special, exceptional good deeds, the very best or the trendiest ones, as if they would overshadow our bad actions and patch up the holes in our house. The essence lies in the fact that any deed, action, or word that earns us good bricks is invaluable. So, Oscar, how will you determine the very, very best deed?

— Well, if we're talking about all the good deeds, I guess the one that pays the most? — Oscar asked.

— Not necessarily, — Grandpa replied, — that's exactly how the snakes will catch you, by slipping in their rotten brick. They love those who want the very, very best and want it quickly! Many problems in the house of our lives stem from our impatience and the desire to quickly showcase ourselves in a special way to others. It's not a bad thing, and it's part of who we are, but what matters is the actions we take on the fairground of life to achieve that. Our impatience often leads us back to the snakes. All good deeds are equally good, and we are paid more or less equally for them.

— Okay, we won't rush and we'll be careful in choosing our deeds and actions, Grandpa! Now, I definitely understand everything, — Oscar exclaimed happily, — I will definitely learn and be able to choose only those deeds that will allow me to build a strong and reliable house of life. And even if it takes a long time, I will patiently work towards that day with my good deeds! Thank you, my beloved Grandpa, and from now on, I will always listen to the elders and read books!" Oscar embraced his grandpa, closing his eyes with delight, envisioning the wonderful, big, and secure house of life he would have.