A Tale on the Meaning of Humility and Need

From the ruined hut of a ragged mystic, a man heard the barking of a dog. He thought to himself: why is there a dog here? So he went in, asking, 'Where is the pious dervish?' He looked front and back but found no sign of a dog; he found no one there but the mystic himself. Embarrassed, he began to leave, ashamed that he had questioned this mystery. The mystic heard footsteps within and called out, 'Come now, why linger at the door? Come in.' Do not imagine, my dear friend, that a dog was barking here; it was me. When I saw that only helplessness is prized, I set aside my pride, my opinion, and my cleverness. Like a dog I barked much at His door, for I have seen no one more wretched than a dog. If you wish to reach a lofty rank, climb to the heights from the low ground of humility. In this presence, only those took the seat of honor who counted themselves lowest of all. When the flood came rushing with terror and dread, it tumbled headlong from the heights down into the valley. But the dewdrop, humble and small, fell to earth, and the sun's love lifted it up to the highest star.