An Excerpt From the Zahir by Paulo Coelho

TheBroker

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This is an excerpt from The Zahir by Paulo Coelho. I liked the meaning and honesty of the lines of the lines. They hold so true in our lives which are filled with material desires. In the love of material desires, we’ve lost the true meaning of life.Paulo Coelho demonstrates the power of his pen to the maximum in these lines.

Coming back to the excerpt, it is a conversation between the wife of the main character(Esther) and the main character.

What is this Favour Bank?

You Know, Everyone Knows.

Possibly, but I still haven’t grasped what you're saying.

It was an American Writer who first mentioned it.It’s the most powerful bank in the world ,and you’ll find it in every sphere of life.

Yes but I come from a country without a literary tradition.What Favours could I do for anyone

That doesn’t matter in the least. Let me give you an example: I know that you are an up-and-coming writer and that, one day you’ll be very influential. I know this because like you, I too was very ambitious, independent, honest. I no longer have the energy I once had, but I want to help you because I can’t or don’t want to grind to a halt just yet. I’m not dreaming about retirement, I’m still dreaming about the fascinating struggle that is life, power and glory.

I start making deposits in your account – not cash deposits, you understand, but contacts. I introduce you to such and such a person, I arrange certain deals, as long as they’re legal. You know that you owe me something, but I never ask you for anything.

And then one day…

Exactly. One day I’ll ask you for a favour and you could, of course say “No†but you are conscious of being in my debt. You do what I ask, I continue to help you, and other people see that you’re a decent, loyal sort of person and so they too make deposits in your account – always in the form of contacts, because this world is made up of contacts and nothing else. They too will one day ask for a favour, and you will respect and help the people who have helped you, and , in time, you’ll have spread your net worldwide, you’ll know everyone you need to know and your influence will keep on growing.

I could refuse to do what you ask me to do.

You could. The Favour Bank is a risky investment, just like any other bank. You refuse to grant the favour I asked you, in the belief that I helped you because you deserved to be helped, because you’re the best ad everyone should automatically recognize your talent. Fine,I say thank you very much and ask someone else into whose account I’ve also made various deposits; but from then on, everyone knows, without me having to say a word, that you are not to be trusted.

You’ll grow only half as much as you could have grown, and certainly not as much you would have liked to. At a certain point, your life will begin to decline, you got halfway, but not all the way, you are half-happy and half-sad, neither frustrated not fulfilled. You’re neither cold nor hot,you’re lukewarm, and as an evangelist in some holy book says “Lukewarm things are not pleasing to the palateâ€

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