Life Skills & Narratives: Recognizing Pain

Life Skills & Narratives: Recognizing Pain

In a quiet village surrounded by hills and rivers, lived a devoted king. He was not just a wise ruler but also a deeply spiritual man. Each day began with heartfelt prayers to God. He fulfilled every role—leader, partner, parent, professional—with care and integrity.

One morning, moved by the king’s unwavering devotion, God appeared before him.

“You may ask for one wish,” God said, “and I shall grant it.”

The king, humbled by this divine encounter, paused before responding. “Dear God, I wish that none of my villagers ever feel pain or discomfort again.”

God smiled gently and granted his wish.

In the following months, the kingdom felt like paradise. People laughed more, worked harder, and seemed at peace. The king was pleased—his wish had created a haven of apparent well-being.

But a year later, the chief village doctor burst into the king’s court, distressed.

“Your Majesty,” he cried, “people are dying. They come to me only when it’s too late. Many have been living with serious illnesses for months—but because they feel no pain, they haven’t realized anything is wrong.”

The king, shaken, turned once more to prayer. God appeared again, and the king explained the crisis.

God listened patiently. “You wished for your people to feel no pain or discomfort,” He said. “But pain is not the enemy—it’s a messenger. Without it, your people couldn’t recognize that something was wrong. They didn’t know to seek help, to rest, or to heal. Discomfort is the body's and the soul’s way of signaling that something needs attention.”

The king was stunned. What he thought was a gift had actually been a veil, hiding deeper issues that required care.

And so, he came to understand a powerful truth:

Pain—whether physical, emotional, or mental—is not something to be feared or erased. It is a signal, a teacher, and often a path to healing. Discomfort is the universe’s way of drawing our attention to what lies beneath, what needs alignment, love, or transformation.