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Thank you to Sharon Azar-Hahn for sharing this story with me:\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you know the story of Yudhisthira? It’s from an Indian classic story called the Mahabharata. It’s on the subject of ‘not without my dog’. Here it is\u201d:<\/p>\n
Once upon a time a very noble and skilled man named Yudhisthira was told that after so much bravery he finally deserved to go to paradise with his brothers. So the gods told them the directions that they needed to follow in order to reach the gates of Indra\u2019s heaven, their final destination, where they would find peace and joy. So off they went through the mountains on their pilgrimage towards paradise. The path was very long and painful; it never seemed to end. They didn\u2019t have enough to eat and drink, the nights were cold and the days were hot, and one by one they died, leaving Yudhisthira alone.<\/p>\n
One day he was very tired, resting under a tree, when a thin and ugly dog approached. From that day on, the dog followed Yudhisthira everywhere he went. Together, they passed through edgy rocks, hot sand, painful thorns and deep mud. When there was food, both of them ate; when there was nothing to eat, both of them starved. Finally, after a long time, they saw the chariot of Indra and they ran towards the flying machine.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, you finally arrived! I have been waiting for you for so long! It\u2019s a pleasure to have you here in my chariot, let\u2019s fly to my heaven!\u201d said Indra. \u201cBut\u2026 the dog can\u2019t come, look at him, he’s old and thin–not worthy of my heaven.” Yudhisthira thought for a while and said, \u201cI\u2019m sorry, if the dog can\u2019t come with me, I will go back now. I thank you for your invitation, but I cannot leave my dog, as he was my faithful companion during this journey.\u201d<\/p>\n
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