He kept carving and practicing. After few days, he noticed that he has carved a statue which looked beautiful. He felt proud of it, and displayed it in the front garden of his house. Many passers-by noticed the statue. A few liked it, and praised the man for his creation. They told him that they would be looking forward to his next work. All this praise encouraged the man to work towards his next statue. He created his next statue, and then the next one. Soon, he had a handful of statues in his garden.
Many town folks paid visit to his garden exhibition, and liked the statues. But there were a few who didn't, especially the man's neighbor. Not only did this neighbor hate the fact that the man could create such beautiful art, he also hated the attention the man was getting.
He went to the man's house.
"I want to tell you something." Said the neighbor, in whispering voice.
"What is it?" Asked the man.
"I am telling you, because you are my friend! There are many people who talk behind your back. They say many hurtful things about you."
“Oh! But why? I have never hurt anyone." Said the man.
"You are getting it all wrong, my friend. They are criticizing your statues. One person even said that they are the worst statues in the world. People are laughing at you!"
"Really? I thought many people rather liked my sculpture." Said the man in a little, saddened voice
"No! They don't like it." Said the neighbor,
The man felt depressed.
He stopped working on new statues. Many people asked him, when would be his new work be displayed. He told them, not soon.
Months passed by. One day, the man went to clean his studio. He saw his unfinished statues lying there. Suddenly, he realized how much he missed sculpting.
Man thought to himself "I didn't start sculpting so that people would like my work. I started because it gave me joy. If somebody does not like my statues, so be it. I am going to do it for myself."
And he started working on his next statue.
After few days he finished the statue, and moved it to the garden. People admired the work. The man nodded politely and went back to his work.
When neighbor saw this new statue, he felt furious. He realized that he is unable to stop the man this way.
"What should I do so that he would stop making new statues?” The neighbor thought to himself.
 |
| For madness there is cure, but for envy there is none. |
The neighbor then called the man "See this is what we call a beautiful art. Your statues are not even close to this.”
The man agreed. "Yes, it is very beautiful statue. But I am not competing with this or any other artist. I am creating statues because it gives me pleasure."
Saying this, the man went back to his studio to work on his next statue.
After a few days, the man's next statue was ready. He displayed it in the garden.
The neighbor was now burning in envy. He went to art gallery again, and bought one more work of the renowned artist.
He thought that if he displayed this world famous art works in his gardens, no one will go to the man's garden. But that did not happen. People kept visiting the man's garden.
The man kept creating statues, and his neighbor kept buying new statues from the gallery. Soon, the neighbor was running out of money. But that did not stop him from buying statues. He took huge loans and kept buying.
In a few months, the neighbor went bankrupt. He defaulted on his loans and all his statue collection was taken away from him. After this neighbor lost all control. He picked up a hammer went to sculptor's garden and started breaking statues. People tried to stop him. But he didn't listen. So they got hold of him and gave him to authorities.
Today, if you pass through this town, people there will tell the story about the sculptor and his statues. They will even show his garden of statues. But if you ask them about the neighbor’s garden, they will tell you that they have never heard of any such place.
Sayings of Jivavarta
People are generous until you outgrow your place in their eyes. After that, kindness becomes envy, and envy turns hostile. — Shon Mehta
The Philosophical Concepts
1. Wu Wei (Taoism — Eastern)
Concept:
Wu wei, meaning “effortless action,” is a core idea in Taoism. It refers to acting in harmony with the natural flow of life rather than forcing outcomes through ego or struggle.
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wu_wei
Reflection:
The sculptor shifts from seeking praise to creating for joy. In doing so, his work becomes natural and sustainable. Like water, his quiet consistency outlasts the neighbor’s forceful, ego-driven actions.
2. Iwa Pele (Yoruba — African)
Concept:
Iwa Pele, meaning “good character,” comes from Yoruba religion. It emphasizes that inner character is the highest form of beauty and the foundation of a meaningful life.
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoruba_religion
Reflection:
The sculptor’s humility and sincerity give his work lasting value, while the neighbor’s envy erodes him from within. In the end, character—not possessions—determines what is remembered.
3. Dichotomy of Control (Stoicism — Western)
Concept:
The Dichotomy of Control is a central teaching of Stoicism. It divides life into what we can control (our actions, thoughts) and what we cannot (others’ opinions, outcomes).
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoicism
Reflection:
The sculptor regains peace by focusing only on his craft, not public opinion. This inner boundary protects him from manipulation and allows him to continue creating despite criticism or comparison.
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Shon Mehta is an author and philosopher known for creating the Jivavarta Universe, a grounded sociopolitical world used to explore human resilience, social dynamics, and moral philosophy. Her novels and parables have transitioned from literary fiction into foundational academic material used in educational curricula across several countries. Through her analytical work, she examines the complex social structures and leadership archetypes that shape our reality.
All stories are really very inspiring. Thanks for sharing.
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