A parable

To all american-born confused desis, indian-born confused desis, american-born non-confused desis, indian-born non-confused desis, desis who are not sure whether or not they are confused, and bored people of all nationalities, faiths, and dispositons...

~The Dreams and the Loaf of Bread~
(From Tales of the Dervishes)

Three travellers on a long and exhausting journey had become companions, and shared the same pleasures and sorrows, pooling all of their resources.

After many days they realized that all they had between them was a piece of bread and a mouthful of water in a flask. They fell to quarrelling as to who should have all the food. Making no progress on this score, they tried to divide the bread and water. Still they could not arrive at a conclusion.

As dusk was falling, one suggested that they should sleep. When they woke, the person who had the most remarkable dream would decide what should be done.

The next morning, the three rose as the sun came up.

"This is my dream," said the first: "I was carried away to places such as cannot be described, so wonderful and serene were they. I met a wise man who said to me: 'You deserve the food, for your past and future life are worthy and suitable subjects for admiration.'"

"How strange," said the second man. "For in my dream, I actually saw all my past and my future. In my future, I saw a man of all-knowledge, who said: 'You deserve the bread more than your friends, for you are learned and patient. You must be well-nurtured, for you are destined to lead men.'"

The third traveler said: "In my dream, I saw nothing, heard nothing, said nothing. I felt a compelling presence which forced me to get up, find the bread and water, and eat them. And that is what I did!"