The Man and His Shadow
from Krylov’s Fables (Classics of Russian literature)
“There was once a certain original man who desired to catch his own shadow. He makes a step or two toward it, but it moves away from him. He quickens his pace; it does the same. At last he takes to running; but the quicker he goes, the quicker runs the shadow also, utterly refusing to give itself up, just as if it had been a treasure. But see! our eccentric friend suddenly turns round, and walks away from it. And presently he looks behind him; now the shadow runs after him. Ladies fair, I have often observed…that Fortune treats us in a similar way. One man tries with all his might to seize the goddess, and only loses his time and his trouble. Another seems, to all appearance, to be running out of her sight, but, no: she herself takes a pleasure in pursuing.”
Why chase and become obsessed with that which alludes you? It only becomes more evasive. Instead, focus on what you can have, what you can control, and the rest will fall into place.
