In a world often swayed by external appearances and superficial judgments, “The Tale of the Four Siblings and the Mysterious Fifth” emerges as a poignant reminder of the intrinsic values of unity, contentment, and gratitude. This story, set in a village reminiscent of our own, unfolds the lives of four siblings, each with a unique gift that contributes to their collective happiness. Their harmonious existence is challenged by the arrival of a self-proclaimed long-lost brother, Vision, whose words stir unrest among them. As we journey through their experiences, we are invited to reflect on the profound impact of perception and the true essence of beauty and happiness.
Once upon a time, there were four brothers and sisters living happily together in a village, just like ours. They all worked together every day.
One made the most fragrant perfume.
Another baked the sweetest cakes.
Another played the most exquisite music.
And the fourth wove silk for sheets and dresses that felt like warm snow.
And they all worked happily together every day, and they never quarreled.
But then one day, a boy came along who said he was their long-lost older brother.
When the sisters and brothers asked him what he did…
He said “He told people the truth”.
“What truth?” they asked him.
“Well”, he replied… “I could tell you that one of you is very handsome… one is quite pretty, one is plain… and one of you is very ugly”.
The family were very puzzled by his words… because, if you hadn’t guessed already..
The names of these brothers and sisters were Scent, Taste, Sound and Touch
There was no “ugly” and there was no “pretty” in their world. “
But which one of us is which?” they asked him, their brother.
“Well, since you can’t know, you shouldn’t care”, he replied.
And, with that, he went to walk off.
“Wait! What’s your name?” they called to him.
“My name is Vision”, he replied.
And with that, he rode away and left them all alone to wonder.
Soon, the family started quarreling about which one of them was beautiful and which one was ugly.
Each one of them spent so much time wondering about what Vision had said…
That the perfume lost its scent…
The cakes lost their taste
The music lost all harmony,
And the silk became threadbare and torn.
Until, at last, one day they came together again… and they decided to forget what Vision had told them.
Because before he came, they’d all been perfectly content. And soon, they were content again.
Because they decided that just four was just enough. And they all lived happily ever after.
“The Tale of the Four Siblings and the Mysterious Fifth” is more than just a story; it’s a mirror reflecting the often overlooked simplicities of life that foster true contentment. As we witness the siblings’ journey from harmony to discord and back to peace, we are reminded of the power of gratitude and the dangers of allowing external perceptions to dictate our self-worth and happiness. In their decision to dismiss Vision’s divisive words and embrace their original state of contentment, the siblings teach us a valuable lesson: happiness and beauty lie not in how we are seen, but in how we see ourselves and the world around us. This story, with its timeless message, encourages us to cherish our unique qualities and to find joy in the simple, unadorned aspects of life.
Editor’s Note:
I came across this story while watching “See” on Apple TV. It’s the second episode of the second season.
To find the transcript, I used the following Google search: see episode 2 message in a bottle site:tvshowtranscripts.ourboard.org. Additionally, I used this prompt to generate the image: “Create an illustration that vividly captures the essence of the story, featuring four Black American siblings engaged in their respective crafts. One should be crafting exquisite perfumes, another baking delectable cakes, the third playing soulful music, and the fourth weaving elegant silk fabrics. In the background, include a subtle, shadowy figure representing Vision. The image should convey a sense of unity, diversity, and the rich cultural heritage of Black Americans, while also aligning with the story’s themes of perception and inner harmony.”
The story and scene captivated me, and I’m curious about what you’d take away from it.
