The Prisoner

`Prisoner, tell me, who was it that bound you?'

`It was my master,' said the prisoner. `I thought I could outdo

everybody in the world in wealth and power, and I amassed in

my own treasure-house the money due to my king. When sleep

overcame me I lay upon the bed that was for my lord, and on

waking up I found I was a prisoner in my own treasure-house.'

`Prisoner, tell me, who was it that wrought this unbreakable

chain?'

`It was I,' said the prisoner, `who forged this chain very

carefully. I thought my invincible power would hold the world

captive leaving me in a freedom undisturbed. Thus night and

day I worked at the chain with huge fires and cruel hard

strokes. When at last the work was done and the links were

complete and unbreakable, I found that it held me in its grip.'

Rabindranath Tagore

(Picture: Prison, Nicholas Roerich)