Kings and queens long ago had a special person called a Fool or Jester. This person made everyone laugh and feel happy. But the Fool did more than just entertain. They could say things that others couldn’t, like telling the king when he was being too proud. The Fool helped keep things balanced by breaking rules and sharing ideas that others were afraid to say.
Goal: To have fun, enjoy life, and feel alive
Fear: Feeling bored or not alive
Response to Dragon/Problem: Play with it or trick it
Task: Trust the journey and enjoy it for what it is
Gift: Joy, freedom, and feeling free
A writer named William Willeford wrote about how the Fool and the King work together. The King makes rules and order, but sometimes that means leaving some things out. The Fool brings back those left-out parts in a fun way, helping everyone feel whole again. The Fool shows us that being whole is more than just following rules.
The Fool is both the start and the end of a journey. It’s like how we begin life as curious kids and later learn to enjoy life fully.
The Inner Fool
We all have a little Fool inside us. It’s like the part of us that wants to play and have fun, like a child. This part of us loves to be creative, try new things, and not worry about what others think. It’s also the part that might break rules or tell little lies to stay out of trouble.
For example, stories about the god Krishna as a child show him playing tricks and being mischievous. Even Jesus, when he was twelve, ran away from his parents to talk with wise teachers. These stories show how the Fool is curious and doesn’t always follow the rules.
When the Fool is strong in us, we want to explore and have fun without worrying about tomorrow. We might dress in silly ways or do things that others think are strange. This can happen when we’re young, during a mid-life crisis, or even when we’re older and want to enjoy life more.
The Fool helps us feel alive and happy, but if we don’t let it out, we might feel bored, sad, or too serious.
Sometimes, when something bad happens, like losing a job or a loved one, the Fool makes us laugh. It reminds us that life is still good, even when things are tough.
Fools make choices based on what feels good. They love new experiences and adventures, which can lead them on exciting journeys.
The Fool and the Modern World
The Fool is great at handling the silly or confusing parts of today’s world, like dealing with big companies or government rules that don’t make sense. The Fool likes to break rules in a fun way, like how comedian Mae West was famous for being bold and funny, even when it shocked people.
The Fool’s way of thinking is free and doesn’t follow strict rules. This is like how some people in history, like Emma Goldman, wanted freedom and fun in their lives and in politics.
The Fool, the Hero, and the Comic Perspective
Sometimes, the Fool becomes a hero by accident. In fairy tales, the youngest brother often wins because he’s not afraid to try new things, while his older brothers fail by doing what’s expected.
The Fool helps us keep going, even when things are hard. Like in cartoons, characters get hurt but bounce back and keep having fun. This shows how the Fool helps us enjoy life, no matter what.
Without the Fool, we might take life too seriously and miss out on joy. But some people think being serious is better, which can make life feel heavy.
The Fool as Game Player
Fools love to play games and break rules. They’re clever and can trick others, like in stories where a character fools someone to get what they want.
Kids love to play and hate being bored. If they can’t have fun, they might cause trouble just to make things interesting. Adults do this too, like playing mind games at work or with friends.
Sometimes, people don’t even know they’re playing games, which can cause problems. But if we learn to see these games, we can choose whether to play or not.
Levels of the Fool
Shadow: Being lazy, eating too much, or not caring about others
Call: Feeling bored or wanting more fun in life
Level One: Life is a game to be played for fun (Fool)
Level Two: Using cleverness to trick others or get out of trouble (Trickster)
Level Three: Living fully in the moment and enjoying life as it is (Wise Fool or Jester)
When we understand the games we play, we can use them for good things, like learning or solving problems. The Fool can help us see things differently and find new ways to do things.
The Negative Fool
If we don’t let the Fool out, it can cause trouble. We might act in ways that hurt ourselves, like eating too much or being lazy. Sometimes, people who seem perfect on the outside have secret problems, like stealing or lying.
The Fool can also make us act without thinking, which can lead to mistakes. Or it can make us feel crazy if we’re not careful.
In some stories, like Adam and Eve, the snake tricks Eve into breaking the rules. This shows how the Fool can lead us to make choices that change our lives.
The Fool can also trick us into thinking we need to do bad things to survive, like lying or cheating. But if we make friends with the Fool, we can enjoy life without causing harm.
Becoming a Wise Fool
At first, the Fool just wants to have fun and avoid hard things. But when the Fool learns to love and care about others, it becomes wiser. This is when the Fool becomes a Wise Fool, who enjoys life fully and doesn’t hide anything.
The Wise Fool is like a child who is completely themselves, or like holy people who live simply and joyfully. In some religions, like Zen Buddhism, people try to live in the moment without worrying about what others think.
Humor is important for the Wise Fool. It helps us see the funny side of life and feel connected to everything.
At the end of the journey, the Wise Fool knows that life is a gift, and we should enjoy it fully. This is the wisdom of the Fool.
Exercises
Think about how the Fool shows up in your life.
- How much or how little is the Fool in your life? Was it more in the past or now? Do you think it will be more in the future? Does it show up more at work, home, with friends, or in dreams?
- Who are some people you know who act like the Fool?
- Is there anything you wish were different about how the Fool shows up in your life?
- Since the Fool can look different for everyone, take some time to imagine or draw how the Fool looks in your life. What does it look like? How does it act? Where does it feel most at home?
Daydream
Think about the funniest and happiest moments in your life. Remember one fun or funny thing after another. Imagine telling these stories to make others laugh. Keep going until you’re laughing out loud.
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