Uncle Rwamiti’s Parable: The Man Who Searched for Meaning Until He Lost It
In the hills of Kabale lived a man named Kato, known in his village as the restless one.
While others tended their gardens, Kato was forever chasing something unseen.
He said, “I must find my purpose — the reason I was born.”
So he sold his land, left his wife, and began to wander.
He went first to the wise men of Kampala, who told him purpose lay in achievement.
So Kato built a small business and worked day and night — until success came.
But when he looked in the mirror, he saw not joy, only exhaustion.
So he left again.
Next, he went to the priests on the hill, who told him purpose lay in service.
So he served — sweeping church floors, carrying chairs, and praying without end.
But one day he looked at the shining altar and realized he still felt hollow.
He left again.
Finally, he climbed the highest mountain in Kisoro, where it was said that an old hermit knew all secrets.
After three days of silence, Kato asked him,
“Master, please tell me — what is my purpose?”
The old man chuckled softly.
He pointed to a bird hopping between stones.
“See that bird? It sings because it is alive, not because it has a purpose.”
Kato frowned. “So I should stop searching?”
The hermit smiled. “Stop searching, and you will start seeing.
When you no longer demand meaning from life, you begin to taste it.”
Kato stayed there for many days.
He fetched water, cooked beans, listened to the wind.
For the first time in years, he stopped trying to become anything.
And one evening, as the sun melted into Lake Mutanda, he laughed —
because he finally understood what he had been chasing.
It wasn’t purpose at all.
It was peace.
Rwamiti’s Reflection Corner
When you stop chasing a grand meaning,
life stops running away from you.
The scent of rain, the smile of a stranger, the rhythm of your own breath —
these become enough.
Purpose is not a treasure hidden in the hills.
It is the quiet knowing that being alive is already enough reason to live.
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