PAULO COELHO Short Story THE CHESS GAME Full English TEXT
Paulo Coelho
The Chess game
Short Stories by Paulo Coelho
Full English Text
Brazilian literature
” The Chess game “ by Paulo Coelho is a short story in which a young aspiring monk complains to the abbot of the monastery, saying that he doesn’t know how to do anything in life other than play chess.
The abbot gives the young man a lesson by offering him a game of chess with a monk;
if the monk loses will have to leave the monastery…
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Happy reading and good chess!
Paulo Coelho All Stories > Here
Paulo Coelho
The Chess game
Short Story
Full English Text
A young man said to the abbot from the monastery of Melk:
– I’d actually like to be a monk, but I haven’t learned anything in life. All my father taught me was to play chess, which does not lead to enlightenment. Apart from that, I learned that all games are a sin.
– They may be a sin but they can also be a diversion, and who knows, this monastery needs a little of both – was the reply.
The abbot asked for a chess board, sent for a monk and told him to play the young man.
But before the game began, he added:
– Although we need diversion, we cannot allow everyone to play chess the whole time. So, we only have the best players here; if our monk loses, he will leave the monastery and his place will be yours.
The abbot was serious.
The young man knew he was playing for his life, and broke into a cold sweat; the chess board became the center of the world.
The monk began badly. The young man attacked, but then saw the saintly look on the other man’s face; at that moment, he began playing badly on purpose.
After all, he would rather lose, a monk is far more useful to the world.
Suddenly, the abbot threw the chess board to the floor.
– You have learned far more than was taught you – he said. – You concentrated yourself enough to win, were capable of fighting for that which you desire.
“Then, you had compassion, and were willing to make a sacrifice in the name of a noble cause. Welcome, because the secret of life is to know how to balance discipline with compassion.”
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Paulo Coelho – The Chess game
Short Stories by Paulo Coelho
Full English Text
Brazilian literature
Paulo Coelho All Stories > Here
– Paulo Coelho –
Paulo Coelho de Souza (born 24 August 1947) is a Brazilian lyricist and novelist and the recipient of numerous international awards.
Paulo Coelho is best known for his widely translated novel The Alchemist. A keen user of electronic media, in 2014 he uploaded his personal papers online to create a virtual Paulo Coelho Foundation. (wikipedia)
Paulo Coelho Bibliography > Here
