The Fish, The Pelican & The Nature of Reality

>Once there was a little fish who lived in the sea. It swam with a great school of other fishes, living, loving, and learning in a seemingly endless expanse that provided for its every need.

The fish was happy enough. But sometimes it struggled to find food and always it swam in fear of bigger fish – or worse the white-winged creatures that plunged down upon members of its school when they least expected it. For this reason the school of fishes swam close together, mirroring each other’s movements and not daring to venture off on their own.

But even the safety of numbers was not always enough.

Such was the case one afternoon when the school swam about in the shallows where food was plentiful.

Without warning, silver streaks of bubbles and birds darted into the center of the school of fishes. The fishes scattered away. But the little fish was not so lucky.

A pelican’s beak gripped it firmly around its middle. Escape was impossible.

“Please!” cried the little fish. “Have pity and release me!”

“Indeed,” said the pelican, clamping even tighter onto the fish.

With a powerful thrust of its wings the pelican stroked upward toward the surface. As the silvery mirrored surface raced ever closer, fears of death swam before the fish’s eyes.

Soon the little fish saw its own frightened reflection, as well as the reflection of the white-winged angel of death bearing it to its doom.

Then, in an explosion of liquid light, the barrier shattered and the little fish was surrounded in radiant light more brilliant than it could have ever imagined. It gasped for breath in a breathless world and marveled as it looked down upon the receding watery realm that it knew as home.

“Climb inside my gullet where you will be safe,” said the pelican as it released its hold on the fish.

Too shocked to struggle, the fish complied and discovered it could breathe comfortably while observing this miraculous new world. As the fish looked about, it saw white-winged creatures soaring on invisible currents between the roiling blue of its home below and an infinite blue stillness above.

The fish saw white ships hauling in nets filled with fishes. It saw puffy white shapes billowing and floating on the horizon, and in the distance it saw a beach of sand that glistened like diamonds in the radiant sunlight.

Filled with awe at this new world, the fish had no words – and indeed few concepts — with which to describe it. So the fish remained silent as the pelican wheeled about in the sky and dropped toward the sparkling beach.

The bird came in fast and low. Its wing tips hovering just inches above the water. And then as the sand rushed beneath its wings the pelican pulled upward, stalled, and dropped onto the shore where two- and four-legged creatures lazed and frolicked about.

Finding words at last the fish said, “This is truly another world.”

“Now that you know it exists, it is time for you to return home,” said the pelican. And with a mighty flap of its wings it leapt from the beach and returned to the invisible currents of the air.

As they climbed to the heights once more, the fish said, “I had no idea any of this existed. I was so afraid.”

“Now you are truly free,” said the pelican.

“How can I ever thank you?” asked the fish.

“No thanks is required,” answered the pelican. “But having experienced this greater reality, it becomes your task to share it with others of your kind that they too may know this freedom.”

“And how do I do that?” asked the fish.

“That is not for me say. Each must figure that out on our own. That’s what keeps the message alive,” said the pelican as it began a graceful descent toward the ceaseless waves below.

As the fish neared the froth and foam of its former existence it gazed about in profound silence, striving to capture and retain its impressions of this greater reality. Then with a simple splash the fish plunged back into a sea of shocking density and limited perspective.

It gaped and gasped as the sea flowed through its gills once more. For a few moments it lingered there beside that mirrored surface, looking at its own reflection and knowing that so much more awaits beyond that translucent transition zone.

Then with a flick of its tail the fish swam for the depths to find its school and begin its new task.

Upon the fish’s return, its friends marveled. “You’re alive!” they cried. “We thought you were dead.”

“So did I for while,” said the little fish. “But I survived and I’ve come back with a message of a greater reality that awaits you if only you have courage to seek it.”

The other fishes listened with polite interest as the little fish told of the white-winged creatures that soar in the invisible realm between the ceaseless blue below and silent blue above. They nodded as the fish told of the boats, clouds, people, and dogs that it had seen. But most of the fishes found the story difficult to believe. “The sea is all there is,” they said. “And we are masters of it. We can go anywhere we please.”

“Indeed you can,” said the little fish. “And much farther than you ever dreamed. All it takes is a flick of your tail to break that mirrored surface and you can experience the greater reality beyond.”

“This is enough for us,” said the school of fishes as they swam away.

As the little fish watched them leave it felt that it had failed in its task. But then it heard a small voice at its side. “I want to learn,” said a young fish.

“Me too,” said another.

And so began the teaching of the fish, the pelican, and the greater reality.

About the Author: Matthew Joyce is a spiritual explorer, author, and teacher based in Boulder, CO. His message is that divine spirituality is for everyone, every day, all the time. You already have within you everything you need to access higher states of consciousness, contact guidance, and create the life experiences you desire.

To read more of his stories and take the next step on your spiritual journey, get your free Higher Self Guides newsletter at http://www.HigherSelfGuides.com

What Is the Spiritual Moral / Meaning of “The Fish, The Pelican, and The Nature of Reality” Story?

In the vast expanse of existence, we are akin to the little fish swimming in the sea of life. Our journey, much like the fish’s, unfolds in a seemingly endless ocean of experiences, marked by joy, struggle, and a constant dance with the unknown. It’s a realm where we navigate the currents of our fears, mirroring the movements of those around us, hesitant to venture into the uncharted waters of our true potential.

The encounter with the pelican represents a transformative moment in our spiritual journey. Life, like the sea, can be teeming with unexpected challenges – the larger fish, the white-winged creatures, symbolic of our fears and external threats. Yet, it is often in those moments of struggle, where escape seems impossible, that we find the catalyst for spiritual awakening. The pelican, in its grasp, forces the little fish to confront the fear of death, leading to a profound revelation beyond the familiar watery realm.

The shattered barrier and the radiant light that engulfs the little fish upon breaking the surface symbolize the transformative power of spiritual awakening. In those moments of crisis, when we confront our deepest fears, a radiant light of higher consciousness breaks through. It is an explosion of awareness, a shift from the confined reality of our fears to the boundless, luminous realm of spiritual truth.

The journey from the watery world to the sky-high perspective of the pelican introduces the little fish to a greater reality. The sky becomes a metaphor for the limitless potential that exists beyond our confined perceptions. As the fish gazes upon the world below, it sees white-winged creatures soaring on invisible currents, ships hauling in nets, and a beach of glistening sand – a world that transcends the familiar sea. This shift in perspective reflects our own capacity to rise above our limited understanding and gain a broader, more enlightened view of life.

The pelican’s guidance – “Climb inside my gullet where you will be safe” – signifies the sanctuary of divine guidance during times of upheaval. Surrendering to the unknown, represented by the pelican’s gullet, provides the little fish with safety and an opportunity to breathe in a new reality. It underscores the importance of trust and surrender in our spiritual journey, allowing the divine currents to carry us to realms beyond our imagination.

The return of the little fish to its old sea mirrors our own return to the familiar, albeit transformed by spiritual revelation. It encounters disbelief and skepticism from its school, much like we might face resistance when sharing our spiritual experiences with those bound by conventional thinking. The little fish’s task becomes clear – to inspire others to break the mirrored surface and embrace the greater reality that awaits beyond the confined sea of limited perspectives.

The young fish expressing a desire to learn marks the beginning of a spiritual teaching. In this, we discover that the true essence of our spiritual journey lies not just in personal awakening but in becoming bearers of light for others. The little fish, now a messenger of a greater reality, embarks on the sacred duty of imparting wisdom, planting seeds of curiosity and courage in those willing to explore beyond the mirrored surface.

The story invites us to reflect on our own journey, urging us to break through the mirrored surface of our fears and limited perspectives. It encourages us to embrace the transformative power of spiritual awakening, allowing the radiant light of higher consciousness to guide us to a greater reality. As we navigate the vast sea of life, may we, like the little fish, become messengers of divine truth, inspiring others to embark on their own journey of exploration and enlightenment.

Personal Reflection Questions

Spiritual stories are an opportunity to reflect on your own life. Here are 10 questions you can use to go deeper with the teachings in this story:

What does the little fish’s journey from the familiar sea to the newfound world symbolize in your own life?
Reflect on the mirrored surface and the translucent transition zone. How does it relate to the barriers and limitations you might encounter in your personal journey?
In moments of crisis, the little fish experiences an explosion of liquid light and a shattered barrier. Have you ever had a transformative experience that shattered your preconceived notions and flooded your life with newfound awareness?
Consider the pelican’s invitation to “climb inside my gullet where you will be safe.” How does surrender and trust resonate with your own spiritual journey during challenging times?
The pelican’s message to the fish is to share the greater reality with others. How do you interpret this call to share spiritual insights with those around you?
Reflect on the fish’s silence upon witnessing the new world. Have there been moments in your life when the profundity of an experience left you speechless and in awe?
As the little fish returns to its old sea, it encounters skepticism from its school. How do you handle skepticism or disbelief when sharing your spiritual experiences or insights with others?
The fish speaks of the greater reality beyond the mirrored surface. How can you relate this concept to breaking through your own self-imposed limitations and exploring new dimensions of existence?
Consider the fish’s task to inspire others to break the mirrored surface. How can you inspire and encourage those around you to explore the vast possibilities beyond their perceived boundaries?
Reflect on the young fish expressing a desire to learn. How can you cultivate a similar openness to learning and exploring the greater realities of life?