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Rabbi Nachman, Milton Erickson and the Turkey Prince
Common sense uncommon healing
Rabbi Nachman of Breslev was a Hassidic Master who lived in the 18th century and was famous for his elliptical stories and parables.
He wrote, “If you believe you can destroy, believe that you can fix.” Here is his story, “The Turkey Under the Table”
There was a prince who thought he was a turkey, so he spent his days naked under a table, pecking at whatever crumbs or bones fell his way. His heartbroken and distraught parents, the king and queen, called in every doctor to heal their son from his madness, to no avail. One sagacious person though asked for and got permission to befriend the prince and undertake his own brand of cure. The sage then removed his own clothes and joined the prince naked under the table, clucking and pecking away at the crumbs.
One day the prince said, “Who are you, and what are you doing here?”
Being a Jewish sage, he asked, “And who are you?”
“I’m a turkey,” said the prince. The sage said, “I’m a turkey, too,” and they hung out together and became accustomed to each other’s company.
