The Gate

There once was a farmer who lived on a beautiful farm. It provided him with enough on which to live, and the views were broad and long enough to suggest more to life than his farm.

Next door, however, there was a farm which was said to be vast and fertile, the likes no one had ever known. He’d read about his neighbor’s farm, its rich soil and endless views. He often gathered others to talk about what his neighbor’s farm must be like. From what the books and others said, the farm next door sounded like a dream come true.

The problem was, he could not see the other farm. From his, all he could see was a great wall dividing the two farms. In frustration, he stopped reading the books and talking to others. “What good is learning about a place I cannot see for myself,” he reasoned.

Then, one day, his neighbor built a gate in the wall, and called over, “Come over anytime. We’d love to have you.” The gate, and his neighbor’s sincere invitation, made the farmer feel better. He began reading books and talking to others again, but he wasn’t sure he wanted to do more than that. In the comfort of the place he knew, he looked over at the gate from time to time and smiled. It made him feel good just to know it was there.

In time, though, the longing within left him feeling empty and frustrated again. He tried reading more, and talking at greater lengths with others, but the emptiness and frustration did not subside.

“The gate’s not going to open itself,” said a familiar voice on the other side.  “My job was to build the gate and to invite you in. The rest is up to you. I did my part. Now it’s your turn.”

After a minute to think, the farmer was embarrassed to be invited a second time. Leaving his books and conversations with others behind, he walked toward the gate. Determined to see what lay on the other side for himself, he reached out, turned the latch, pushed the gate open, and walked through.