This tale about the long handled spoons is a short parable about co-operation, teamwork and working together.
The Long Handled Spoons is one of those timeless parables that stays with you. Although simple on the surface, it offers a powerful reminder that the quality of our lives is often shaped less by what we have and more by how we choose to relate to one another.
In a world that frequently encourages competition, self reliance and looking after our own interests first, this story gently turns that thinking upside down. It reminds us that some of life’s greatest challenges cannot be solved through individual effort alone. They are overcome through kindness, generosity, trust and a willingness to help someone else before ourselves.
The lesson reaches far beyond families and friendships. It applies to workplaces, communities, organisations and even entire societies. When people focus only on taking, everyone ends up with less. Yet when people begin serving one another, everyone benefits.
Take a few moments to watch the short video above, then enjoy this classic story. As you read, consider where the long handled spoons might appear in your own life and how a small change in perspective could transform frustration into fulfilment.
Collaborative dialogue is an attempt to dance with the unknown at the risk of losing what we think we know. -Oli Anderson Share on XSwami was having a conversation with Lord Shiva one day and said Lord, “I would like to know what heaven and hell are like”.
Lord Shiva led the Swami to two doors.
He opened one of the doors and the Swami looked in. In the middle of the room was a large round table.
In the middle of the table was a large pot of stew, which smelled delicious and made the Swami’s mouth water.
The people sitting around the table were thin and sickly. They appeared to be famished.
They were holding spoons with very long handles that were strapped to their arms and each found it possible to reach into the pot of stew and take a spoonful.
However, the handle was longer than their arms, they could not get the spoons back into their mouths.
The Swami shuddered at the sight of their misery and suffering. Lord Shiva said, “You have seen hell”.
They went to the next room and opened the door. It was exactly the same as the first one.
There was the large round table with the large pot of stew which made the holy man’s mouth water.
The people were equipped with the same long-handled spoons, but here the people were well nourished and plump, laughing and talking.
The Swami said, “I don’t understand”.
“It is simple”, said Lord Shiva, “It requires but one skill.
You see they have learned to feed each other, while the greedy think only of themselves”.
The beauty of this parable is that it reminds us we often have more than enough to go around. The difference lies in our mindset. We can spend our energy competing for the next spoonful or we can discover that by lifting others, we naturally receive what we need as well.
This principle can be practised every day. Listening instead of interrupting. Offering encouragement instead of criticism. Sharing knowledge instead of guarding it. Extending a helping hand without expecting anything in return. These small acts of generosity create stronger relationships, healthier communities and a richer life for everyone involved.
Perhaps the greatest message of the long handled spoons is that heaven and hell are not always distant places. Sometimes they are created by the choices we make each day. When we choose compassion over selfishness and cooperation over conflict, we begin creating a better world for ourselves and for those around us.
That which is not good for the swarm, neither is it good for the bee. -Marcus Aurelius Share on XWhere in your life could you stop trying to feed only yourself and instead help someone else succeed? You may discover that in doing so, everyone around the table, including you, leaves satisfied.
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Hi, I'm Thea Westra at Forward Steps (forwardstepsblog.com)
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