by Faith & Spiritual Elder, Theo Richter
I was scrolling through some old files I have stored on my computer when I came across this wonderful story about encouragement. It was written by Michael Licenblat, a qualified psychologist, and featured in the Victorian/Tasmanian Australian Institute of Management newsletter many years ago. I’m using it here because I think it addresses and perhaps reminds us there is a sense of positivity that may counteract the general feeling of imbalance I’m sure we’re all experiencing in a world turned completely upside down.
Words of Encouragement by Michael Licenblat
Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room’s only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back.
The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on holidays.
Every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window. The man in the other bed began to live for those one-hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and colour of the world outside.
The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every colour and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.
As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene. One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other man couldn’t hear the band, he could see it in his mind’s eye, as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.
Days and weeks passed.
One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had passed peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the man’s body away.
As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window.
The nurse was happy to make the switch and, after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.
Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed.
It faced a blank wall.
The man asked the nurse what could possibly have compelled his deceased roommate to describe such wonderful things outside the window.
The nurse responded that the man was completely blind and could not even see the wall. She thought for a while and finally said, “Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you.”
Reflections on the story
It’s a great story filled with lots of ‘goodwill’ content – some might call it ‘schmalz’ – but it struck me as being a ‘keeper’ – something I should and could refer to and use at a later time to provide a theme for an article I might want to write about. That time is now…
Thinking about the story, I couldn’t help but wonder at the many themes that thread through the narrative. All of them are meaningful and pertinent to our daily existence and it’s timely to remind ourselves we are part of the greater community of mankind and that there are little actions we can take to make life a little easier and more meaningful for both ourselves and our fellow travellers in life. In analysing the story, here are a few of those threads:
The story describes compassion and selflessness – the man by the window knows he’s blind, yet he chooses to describe beautiful scenes outside the window to comfort his roommate. His actions are purely altruistic; he gains nothing, but gives everything and, in doing so, shows us that kindness doesn’t require ability, only intention.
The story describes the power of imagination and storytelling – the man by the window uses vivid descriptions to create an entire world for his roommate. Even though the scenes aren’t real to himself, they become real in the mind of his bedridden listener. The story highlights how imagination can expand our emotional world even when our physical world is limited.
The story describes human connection in times of hardship – the two men form a deep bond through conversation and shared vulnerability. Their friendship becomes a lifeline, especially for the man confined to his bed. The story shows how companionship can ease suffering and bring meaning to difficult circumstances.
The story describes hope as a lifeline – the window becomes a portal to a dimension that symbolises hope, even though what lies beyond it is only in the mind of the teller. Hope keeps the bedridden man emotionally alive; it gives him something to look forward to each day. The story suggests that hope doesn’t have to be literal to be powerful.
The story describes the link between perception and reality – the twist at the end, that the window faces a blank wall, forces us to rethink what “truth” really means in this context. The beauty described was never outside the window; it was created inside the storyteller’s head and it symbolises that reality is sometimes less important than the meaning we derive from it.
And finally, the story describes the impact of small acts – a simple daily ritual, an hour of storytelling, transforms the bedridden man’s emotional world. The story reminds us that even small gestures can have profound effects on others.
Closing reflection
So why does this story resonate so well with us? In a way, it taps into something universal: our need for connection, hope and kindness. It shows us how people can lift each other up even when they themselves are struggling. And it leaves us with a gentle reminder that generosity of spirit can change someone’s life, even if they never know the full truth behind it.
While writing this article, I’m drawn to the words Christa Lingham left us with after the Sommerfest service – when leaving the Chapel, we should show kindness, compassion and goodwill to all our fellow travellers, and we should try to make that our goal each and every day.
