There was once a cobbler who lived an simple but honest life. He was a poor man and had to work hard to, but he was very much devoted to the worship of Lord Vishnu. He lived beside a huge Banyan tree.
One day, as he worked in the shade of the Banyan tree, the SageNarada came to visit him. The cobbler was very happy to receive the God's messenger. After welcoming him with due respect he ventured to ask if he had recently seen Vishnu.
"Yes," replied Narada, "I have just been with Vishnu and h has sent me to see you."
He was amazed to hear that God Vishnu had sent Narada to him.
No one important ever came to see him ;he was just a shoemaker. What possible interest could Lord have in him? Some time later he asked Narada. "Why did God Vishnu want you to see me?"
Saint Narada said: "God thought you might have some questions."
"Questions!!"The cobbler was amazed. Narada himself had come to answer his questions! In confusion he could not think of anything.
Suddenly cobbler thought of one simple question. "What was God Vishnu doing when you saw Him?"
"He was threading an elephant through the eye of a needle," Narada replied .
"Threading an elephant through the eye of a needle?" the cobbler was surprised. He hadn't expected that Vishnu would be doing this. "Well, one thing's for sure," he said, "Only Lord Vishnu could do that!"
"Surely you don't believe me," smiled Narada, amused at the cobbler's simplicity. He had given this answer merely to test the cobbler and didn't expect him to believe it. "I don't think even Vishnu could really do that it's impossible."
"Why can't he do that?" responded the cobbler, a little taken aback at Narada's lack of faith.
"Nothing's impossible for him. This world is full of His miracles. He makes the Sun rise each day. He makes the Wind blow. He provides for the food for all the creatures in this world.
The cobbler said to Saint Narada, "Look at this," he went on as he bent to the ground and picked up a seed from beneath the Banyan tree, "Inside this seed is a Banyan tree as big as the one above us. It's just waiting to come out. If Vishnu can squeeze a whole Banyan tree into such a tiny seed, surely he can thread an elephant through the eye of a needle!Hearing the wisdom of the cobbler's words, Narada had to admit that what he said was true.
Such is the faith of true bhakts like the cobbler because they cannot think of anything otherthan Him. They see God equally present in everyone, everything.
