Troubled by the uncertainty of tomorrow, two youngsters, Paul and Philip traveled to a faraway town to see a fortune teller so as to know what the future had in the bag for them.
On reaching the town, it took a short time to see the fortune teller who was a well known person in that community. As they met, the fortune teller decided to tell them what would become of them in 20 years time when they would have become grown up men.
He asked them to sit on the bare floor while he went into his inner room to bring his crystal ball. Coming out, he turned off the lights to invite darkness. After a while he put on the lights back and looked straight at the visitors. From them, he cast his gaze at one side of his crystal ball. Later, he turned it 180 degrees and gazed again at it.
He now switched off the lights and lit 10 candlesticks and gazed at the crystal ball, this time, more intensely.
"Three phases I see," He started.
"The sky is the limit. Two young men to become bachelor's degree holders at 21, successful career at 35, and honourable men at 45."
As he was pronouncing the last word, he appeared to have lost control of himself, and collapsed on the floor.
Fear gripped Paul and Philip. They looked at each other's face and ran out of the house without looking back. Having ran to a safe distance, they began to discuss the man.
"Do you think the man has passed on?" Paul asked.
"None can say," replied Philip.
As time went on, the youngsters thought less of the fortune teller, and seemingly forgot him.
By the time the two friends turned 45, it was obvious that the prophecy of the fortune teller had been fulfilled only in the case of Paul.
He had his bachelor of degree at 21, had a successful career as a software engineer at 35, and became one of the most prominent personality in the society at 45. In fact, he had a software developing company of his own, known all over the world.
Philip's case was quite different. He dropped out of school and could not make a headway in his chosen trading career. In fact, at 45, he went bankrupt.
One day, after analyzing his misfortunes in life, Philip went to see the fortune teller of the yore days. The encounter they had with him had remained indelible in his mind.
When he knocked at the door, the now very old man, the fortune teller received him.
"What can I do for you, gentleman?"
"We were two that came to you many years ago. From what you told us, we were supposed to be successful in life."
"Yes. Go on," interjected the old man as Philip hesitated in talking.
"I've come to know why my case is different," Philip concluded.
The old man went into his inner room, almost staggering, walking as slowly as his fragile bones could carry him. He came out with that same crystal ball of yore days.
He switched off the electric lights, inviting darkness to hide them. He then lit 10 candlesticks around himself.
Philip could still remember vividly the same exercise of the old man carried out 20 years ago. It was about the same process justifying the saying: "An old woman doesn't get old in the dancing steps she is familiar with."
He gazed at his crystal ball, turned it 180 degrees and gazed more intensely.
As he started talking, it was as if he was talking to his crystal ball only. He said, "If I fail to focus on my studies but got distracted by campus social life, can I pass my exams? Can the VC award me a certificate apart from on the convocation ground?"
He continued, "If I fail to concentrate on my chosen career, close leakages of fund, but instead spend my capital on frivolities, can the business grow?"
Finally he said, "Mine is to see you there but yours it is to walk to the place."
With that he appeared to have lost control of himself, and collapsed on the floor.
Fear gripped Philip. No one told him to run out of the old man's house. He chose to run.
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I see. Thanks for the information.