Once at the bottom of a large crystal river lived a community of beings. The river flow calmly streamed over all of them – young and old, rich and poor, good and evil, following its path, knowing only its crystal self. Each creature in its own way clung tightly to branches and rocks at the bottom of the river, as clinging was their way of life, and resisting the flow was something each learned from birth.
But one creature eventually said, “I’ve had enough of holding on. Although I can’t see it with my own eyes, I believe the flow knows where it’s going. I will let go and let it take me where it wants. If I continue to hold on here, I will die of boredom.” Others laughed at him. “Fool. Let go and the current you adore will overturn you and smash you against the rocks, and you will die sooner than of boredom.”
But the creature paid no attention to them. It held its breath and let go, and the current immediately seized it and smashed it against the rocks. Since the creature did not want to grab on again, the current eventually freed it from the bottom and it was never seen again.
And nothing struck or hurt. Creatures that dwelt down by the river and did not know him, cried out: “Look, a marvel! A creature like us, yet floating! Look, our Savior has come!”
The creature carried by the current responded: “I am no savior more than any of you. The river wants to free us, only if we dare to let go. Our true task is precisely that journey, that adventure.” But the creatures kept shouting even louder: “Savior!” all the while clinging to the rocks. When they looked again, he was no longer there… and they were left alone with their legends of the Savior.
Richard Bach, Illusions