Книга Жажда смысла. Практики логотерапии по Виктору Франклу - Галина Лифшиц

Wife: Nymph flee away without looking behind. Nymphs cannot bear such an attitude.

Husband: So, nothing can be returned? That is it?

Me: Who is stronger – real woman or the Nymph? And if the Nymph is magical, so, it is possible to resurrect everything?

Wife: We, women, are stronger. We can forgive and tolerate…

Husband: And can the Nymph be resurrected?

Me: And what do you think yourself?

And then there appeared alive and interesting conversation about “plan of the Nymph resurrection”. And by the end of the session the husband said that this fairy-tale should be read to every couple that is about to get married. Mandatory.

Me: Can it be possibly too late while people are together and they still can talk to each other?

* * *

2) Example from practice.

Fairytale: “How good it is that there is Death on Earth”

In those far times while Lord Jesus Christ and the Saint Peter were walking together, once they came to the blacksmith and asked for overnight stay. The blacksmith greeted them with hospitality, put under the anvil his hammer which he had in his hand, walked them to the dining room and made great supper. And after the meal he told to his guests:

I see that you are very tired after the long road and you wish to have rest – besides it was so hot all day long – so, please, accommodate on my bed, have a good sleep. And I’ll have a nap in the barn on a straw pile.

He wished them good night and went for a sleep. And when the morning came he made them breakfast and walked with them for a bit. When they were saying “goodbye” he said:

I hope that you are satisfied with everything.

Then Saint Peter pulled Lord Jesus for His sleeve:

Lord! Aren’t You going to award him? Since he is such a good person and treated us so well?

And the Lord answered:

Award in this world is an empty gift. So I prepare the different one for him, in Heavens.

And then Jesus turned to the blacksmith and spoke:

Ask for anything. Three wishes will be granted.

Blacksmith rejoiced and spoke:

If it is so, God, make me live and stay healthy like I am now for another hundred years.

And Jesus said:

Let your wish come true. What else do you want?

Blacksmith laughed and said:

What else am I to ask? Everything else is fine in my life and I can earn for anything I want with my skill. Just make sure that I’ll always have enough work. Like it is now.

And the Lord replied:

And this will come true. What about your third wish?

Decent fellow, the blacksmith did not even know what to wish, but after a minute’s thinking he said:

If such a kind Lord you are, then make for anybody to sit on the chair you were sitting before my table to freeze to it and stay like that until I’ll let him go.

Saint Peter started laughing, but the Lord replied:

Let it be as you wished!

So, they departed. Lord Jesus and Saint Peter went their way and the blacksmith rushed home happily. And everything appeared to be as the Lord Jesus promised. All the neighbors of the blacksmith were gone long ago and he still was healthy and fresh, had plenty of work and was singing in happiness from morning till night.

But everything has an end. Hundred years finally were gone and the Death knocked his doors.

Who is it? – asked the blacksmith.

It’s me, Death. I came after you.

– So welcome! What a guest came! – said the blacksmith and smiled slyly. – Come in, dear guest! Just wait for a minute, let me put off hammer and pliers in order and I’ll be just ready. And you can have a seat for now on that chair. Anyway you walk quite a lot around the world!

The Death had nothing to worry about so It didn’t have to ask twice. She took a sit and the blacksmith laughed loudly:

Now you to seat here until I’ll decide to let you go!

The Death started to try to set itself free, knocking It’s bare bones and jaws, but nothing helped, It could not move off the chair, so It had to remain on the chair like chained. Blacksmith laughed his stomach off! He closed doors and left for his businesses. He was glad that he does not have to fear of Death for It was in his house, captured.

But his happiness did not last long, he quickly noticed that he was mistaking.

He had a bery fed pig, so he decided to butch it and make smoked ham, because he really liked to have this fine dish. So he took an axe and hit the pig so hard that he fell down himself. Then he reached for a knife to slit the throat of a pig and gather it’s blood to make sausage pig suddenly raised on it’s feet and leaped away.

I’ll get you later, you naughty pig! – said the blacksmith and went to the barn and pulled the goose out. He has been feeding it for two weeks for holiday. – At least I’ll enjoy you for today. – Said he to himself. – Since the sausage ran away.

He grabbed a knife and tried to stab the goose. But what a miracle! Not a single drop of blood fell of the goose, and when he pulled the knife out of it’s neck there was no trace of wound! While the blacksmith fell into astonishment goose has slept away and screaming “ga-ga-ga” flew after the pig.

The blacksmith was fed up with everything. Everything started so good today and he cannot even snack something tasty?! So, he left the goose and the pig and went to the dovecote and grabbed two pigeons. And in order to avoid strange occasions for this time he chopped birds’ heads right away. With one blow.

At least it’s enough for two of you, – mumbled the blacksmith and tossed birds on the ground.

But have a look! As soon as they fell on the ground their heads appeared on their necks and “frrrr” they flew away! All of a sudden the blacksmith realized:

That’s right! I didn’t think about it. They all cannot die because I captured the Death!

And all those thoughts started moving in his head and he didn’t like that he’ll have to farewell to the wonderful ham and sausages, with delicious baked goose and roasted pigeons. But what should he do?! Let the Death go? No way! Death would break his own neck right away! And so he decided that he’ll eat peas and porridge and cook pies instead of meat: it is tasty enough if there is nothing else!

Everything went well while he had old storages. But then the spring came and he fell into poverty! Every living creature that lived before stayed alive and not a single one died. Besides, a lot of new ones appeared so the entire world was packed.