The Wild Child And A Wrestler – A Funny Spiritual Story by Osho

One psychoanalyst was trying some experiment. He announced in the newspapers, “I will pay enough money if somebody is ready to come to my house and just follow my child for the whole day. Whatever my child does, you have to do that.”

A young wrestler turned up and he said, “I am ready; where is the child?”

But by the middle of the day the wrestler was flat on his back. He had already got two fractures, because everything that the child was doing he had to do.

And the child got excited: “This is strange!” he thought.

So he would jump unnecessarily, and the wrestler had to jump; he would climb the tree, and the wrestler had to climb; and he would jump from the tree, and the wrestler had to jump. And this continued.

The child completely forgot about food, about anything; he was enjoying so much the misery of the wrestler.

By the afternoon the wrestler simply refused. He said to the psychoanalyst, “Keep your money. This child of yours will kill me by the end of the day. I am already ready to go to the hospital. This child is dangerous. Don't do this experiment with anybody else.”

Every child has so much energy, and still he is not tense. Have you watched a child sleeping? Have you watched a child just sucking his own thumb, enjoying it, dreaming beautiful dreams? His whole body is in a deep let-go.

As told by Osho in Satyam Shivan Sundaram

What Is the Spiritual Moral / Message of “The Wild Child And A Wrestler” Story?

The psychoanalyst's experiment represents our own encounters with life's unexpected situations. It's an invitation to shadow our inner child, a symbolic journey mirroring our innate playfulness and spontaneity.

The child embodies our unfiltered essence—a boundless source of creativity, curiosity, and boundless energy. It's the aspect within us that wants to explore, discover, and express without inhibition. Yet, often in the external world, we're confronted with societal norms, responsibilities, and expectations—akin to the wrestler trying to mirror the child's actions.

The wrestler's participation represents our attempts at aligning with societal demands. We strive to match the tempo dictated by external influences, conforming to societal standards and often suppressing our innate exuberance and authenticity. But as the story unfolds, the wrestler finds himself at odds with the child's unrestrained joy, struggling to keep up with the unbridled energy and unpredictability.

This tale speaks volumes about the consequences of suppressing our inner child. When we're coerced into conformity, denying our playful, spontaneous essence, it can result in profound discord within ourselves. The wrestler's fractures symbolize the injuries we endure—both physical and emotional—when we deny the authenticity of our inner joy and spontaneity.

The child's uninhibited joy and carefree behavior stand as a testament to our innate spirit—one that yearns for expression, spontaneity, and unfiltered joy. It reminds us that within each of us lies an unbounded source of vitality and creativity waiting to be embraced and celebrated.

The wrestler's plea to the psychoanalyst—refusing to continue the experiment—echoes our own internal battles. It's a cry for recognition, a plea to honor and protect our inner child from being engulfed by societal demands and expectations.

Ultimately, this story serves as a spiritual beacon, urging us to honor the child within. It's a call to nurture and celebrate our innate innocence, spontaneity, and unadulterated joy amidst the complexities of adult life.

It reminds us to strike a balance between conforming to societal expectations and embracing the playful authenticity of our inner child. By integrating these aspects harmoniously, we can navigate life with grace, maintaining our childlike wonder and exuberance while fulfilling the responsibilities of adulthood.

The spiritual essence lies in acknowledging and cherishing our inner child's purity, spontaneity, and vitality—allowing it to infuse our lives with joy, creativity, and an unapologetic zest for living. It's an invitation to dance with life, embracing the innocence and joy that reside within us, reminding us that true fulfillment emerges when we honor and integrate all facets of our being.