THE WOMAN WHO OVERCAME HER FEAR

     She never knew why Fear came to live with her – but he seemed to be with her constantly, so much so that she would not venture out of her house or speak to her friends or strangers.

     One day she decided, “I will go outside and meet with my friends.”

     But she only got to the door and Fear stood in her way, towering over her, laughing and saying, “You will never go out, just think what people might say. They might belittle you and make fun of you. Besides see it’s been a long gap and the world outside has changed. Best not to go.”

     The woman listened, and although she tried to argue, in the end she decided to agree with Fear. The next day she got up, thinking, ‘Today I will go outside and meet people around.’ But once again she was stopped in her tracks by Fear. This time she wrestled with him (the Fear) in an attempt to get to the door. But after hours of struggling she ended up deciding not to go.

     The next day, she got up thinking, ‘Today I will go out and meet the outside world.’ 

     Fear was as usual waiting at the door, but this time he didn’t look quite intimidating and she caught him off the guard. Knocking him (the Fear) off the balance, she pushed him over and ran through the door. She had a wonderful day meeting her friends, talking to strangers, buying household necessities, exploring ideas with people around and making plans about future endeavors. She gained victory over Fear, indeed Fear seemed to have vanished altogether.

     But then on the fourth day, while walking on the street she saw a street dog snarling and growling at her. The dog started running straight towards her, she stood for a moment transfixed with terror. Then apparently out of nowhere, Fear stepped up and grabbed her by the hand, pulling her along and helping her to run so fast that eventually she managed to escape.

     When they returned, Fear said, ‘I told you something bad will happen if you went outside. It will be good for you if you listen to me.’

     And the next day morning, when she awoke she saw Fear standing as large and menacing by the doorway. Somewhat timidly she approached him and said, ‘Fear, why have you become so large and menacing again?”

     Fear replied, “YOU MUST LEARN TO DEAL WITH ME EVERYDAY. AND YOU MUST LEARN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHEN YOU NEED ME AND WHEN YOU DON’T.”

     ‘Ah now I understand,’ as soon as she uttered these words Fear shrank to the size of a tiny dwarf, she packed him up and now carries him in her pocket so that she can call him only when she is in need.