There are many problems that some people believe are far away from them due to which they think they will never be affected, and are safe from any consequences. However, these problems can strike unexpectedly, turning them into victims overnight. Therefore, a wise person always takes precautions to avoid potential risks and stays alert to be safe. As the saying goes, “Accidents are not predetermined fate or absolute destiny, but rather the result of carelessness and negligence.” Ibn al-Jawzi once said, “Those who reflect on the consequences of life’s events will act with caution. Those who are aware that the journey is long will prepare for it.”
This serves as a reminder not to underestimate distant problems and to always be prepared for them. Below is a story that may be useful in this context:
Once upon a time, a mouse was living on a farm, and one day, it noticed the farmer taking a mousetrap out of a box. Panic filled the mouse, and it ran around the farm frantically shouting, “Oh no! A mousetrap has been set!” Hearing the commotion, the hen called out, “Why are you disturbing everyone with your shouting? The trap is for you, not us. This is your problem.” The mouse then went to the sheep and said, “Please be careful, there is a trap in the house!” The sheep smiled and said, “You coward, you are trembling. Why do you steal and destroy when you fear the consequences? You are the one the trap is meant for, not me. Stop bothering me with your cries. I advise you to stop stealing food and gnawing on ropes and wood.” The mouse, with no one else to turn to, sought help from the cow.
However, the cow responded carelessly, saying, “A trap in our house? It seems like they want to catch cows with it. Should I seek asylum at the zoo?” Realizing that no one cared, the mouse decided to rely only on itself. It quietly observed and searched until it found the location of the trap. The mouse then chose to stay away from the danger and slept soundlessly.
Suddenly, the silence of the night was broken by the sound of the trap snapping shut on its prey. The mouse rushed over to investigate and found a snake writhing in pain after being caught by the trap. The farmer’s wife came by, and in the darkness, mistook the snake for a mouse. She grabbed the trap, and the snake bit her. Her husband quickly rushed her to the hospital, where she received emergency treatment. The wife returned home with a fever. In an attempt to help, the farmer slaughtered a chicken to make soup for her. Relatives and neighbors gathered to check on her, and soon a sheep had to be slaughtered to feed them.
Sadly, the wife passed away after a prolonged battle with the poisoning, which spread throughout her body over several days. Hundreds of mourners arrived to offer their condolences, and in turn, the farmer was forced to slaughter his cow to feed them. In the end, the only animal left alive was the mouse, who had been the initial target of the trap. It was the only one who sensed the danger.
The others believed they were far from harm and they underestimated the mouse’s warnings. The mouse, having instinctively and from experience understood the danger, knew that the victims of the trap could be more than anyone imagined. In conclusion, even if a problem seems distant and irrelevant to you, do not underestimate it, as its consequences may affect you in the future.
