THE PRAYER OF THE FROG PART ONE AUTHOR Anthony de Mello Tonys been a refreshing ool drin!

this s"##er$% o##ented a &ister referring to the s'e ial iss"e (e bro"ght o"t (hi h in l"ded a s"''le#ent on the o"rse of inner self)liberation by Tony de Mello* To +"dge fro# the s" ess of the o"rse$ (e ha,e to ad#it shes right* -e,e had to bring o"t fo"r editions of the re'rint after his death the #essage of this s'e ial in arnation of a .g"r" is e,o!ing a real inner dis o,ery in #any 'eo'le* -hats behind this 'heno#enal s" ess/ 0ery si#'ly$ it is a #anifestation of the h"nger for the s'irit"al s'reading aro"nd the (orld* 1ts a h"nger (ith ,ery s'e ial hara teristi s* Peo'le arent b"ying set for#"las any#ore$ or 'io"s 'latit"des redolent of an ry gone by2 beaten tra !s that did not s" eed in bringing 'eo'le to a s'irit"al a(a!ening* There is an ang"ished sear h$ so#eti#es onf"sed in its dire tion$ for a #ore liberal o"tloo!* Mode# #an #ired in 'rofo"nd "lt"ral hange first (ants to !no( (ho he is$ (hat i#'risons his so"l$ (hat stands in the (ay of s'irit"al 'rogress* He (ants to redis o,er the God beyond all that has been identified thro"gh the years (ith the na#e of God3 la(s$ nor#s$ do trines not #ade flesh$ (ords stranded fro# life* That is (hy Tony de Mello said that o"r ,iolent s'irit"ality has reated 'roble#s for "s$ that 4es"s 5hrist has got a bad na#e be a"se of (hat is said of hi# fro# '"l'its% and that it is ,ery diffi "lt to re ogni6e a saint be a"se he loo!s li!e the rest of "s%* 1n short$ (hat Tony de Mello is telling "s is that if (e (ant to #a!e 5hristianity redible (e need to 'l"#b die de'ths of 7lie h"#an s'irit$ to rea h beyond o"r 'resent frontiers$ 7Fro# 0idaN"e,a Madrid$ &e't* 89th$ 8:;<=

FORE-OR> The first i#age of Tony de Mello that 1 herish goes ba ! thirty years)and 're isely to ?ona,la$ to the ,ery ho"se that #" h later be a#e the ho#e of the &adhana 1nstit"te* Tony (as then a 4es"it st"dent$ b"t engaged in tea hing the yo"ng #en (ho had +"st finished their no,i iate* The (hole gro"' had o#e "' to &t &tanisla"s 0illa for a brief holiday* 1 re#e#ber Tony (ith a bat h of +"niors$ as (e alled the#$ sitting "nder the trees o"tside the !it hen and leaning ,egetables for the days #eals$ (hilst he regaled a ,ery re e'ti,e a"dien e (ith his ine@ha"stible f"nd of stories* M" h has ha''ened to all of "s sin e then2 and Tony hi#self (ent thro"gh inn"#erable stages of gro(th and hange$ of fresh o#'eten e and ne( interests$ and of effe ti,e ser,i e* A"t he (as al(ays an in o#'arable story)teller* Hardly any of his ane dotes (ere original$ and so#e (ere not e,en e@ e'tionally s#art2 b"t on his li's they a#e ali,e (ith #eaning and rele,an e$ or +"st 'lain f"n* For that #atter$ any the#e he to" hed a#e ali,e and a't"red attention* And no( his 'arting gift to "s$ (hi h (ill s"rely +oin the ran!s of his other best)sellers$ is The Prayer of the Frog* Tho"gh he s'o!e rather as"ally of his literary o"t'"t$ he (as #eti "lo"s in editing his o#'ositions* The last thing he did in 1ndia before ta!ing the 'lane for the United &tates (as to s'end #ore than three ho"rs (ith the '"blisher$ going o,er the details of his #an"s ri't* 1 ha,e not seen the te@t$ b"t 1 !no( of his final on ern* That (as in the e,ening of May BCth$ 8:;<* On 4"ne 9nd he (as fo"nd dead on the floor of his roo# in Ne( Yor!$ ha,ing s" "#bed to a #assi,e heart atta !* 1n

bet(een he had #ade ti#e to (rite a long letter to a lose friend$ in (hi h he said$ s'ea!ing of earlier e@'erien es3 All of that see#s to belong to another era and to another (orld* 1 find the (hole of #y interest is no( fo "sed on so#ething else$ on the .(orld of the s'irit$ and 1 see e,erything else as so trifling and so irrele,ant* The things that #attered so #" h in the 'ast do not see# to #atter any #ore* Things li!e those of A haan 5hah the A"ddhist tea her$ see# to absorb #y (hole interest and 1 a# losing #y taste for other things* 1s this an ill"sion/ 1 do not !no(* A"t ne,er before in #y life ha,e 1 felt so ha''y$ so free* That +"st abo"t s"#s "' Tony as he (as)and indeed as others 'er ei,ed hi# )in his last 'hase$ before he left "s so s"ddenly$ three #onths before his fifty)si@th birthday* And no( there is already a body of literat"re that is gro(ing aro"nd hi#* a ,eritable golden legend$ (ith testi#onies fro# a ,ariety of 'eo'le$ s attered the (orld o,er* D"ite a fe( ha,e said they ne,er #et hi# b"t (ere 'rofo"ndly affe ted by his boo!s* Others had en+oyed the 'ri,ilege of a dee' relationshi'* Yet others only briefly e@'erien ed the #agi of his s'o!en (ord* Not #any (o"ld go along (ith e,erything that he said or did$ es'e ially after he rossed the established bo"ndaries of s'irit"al ,ent"re)nor did Tony e@'e t a do ile follo(ing$ b"t rather the ontrary* -hat attra ted so #any to his 'erson and ideas (as 're isely that he hallenged e,eryone to E"estion$ to e@'lore$ to get o"t of 'refabri ated 'atterns of tho"ght and beha,io"r$ a(ay fro# stereoty'es$ and to dare be ones tr"e self)in fine$ to see! an e,er greater a"thenti ity* A relentless E"est for a"thenti ity)that is ho( Tonys ,ision a#e a ross fro# any angle$ at any range* And this ga,e to his #"ltifa eted 'ersonality an integrity$ a (holeness$ that had a har# and a 'o(er all its o(n3 it re on iled o''osites$ not in tension b"t as a har#onio"s blend* He (as #ost ready to #a!e friends$ to share2 yet one felt there (as a di#ension in hi# that (as o"t of rea h* He o"ld be boistero"s in o#'any$ trotting o"t o"trageo"s +o!es$ b"t no one o"ld do"bt his steadfast serio"sness of '"r'ose* He hanged so #" h and in so #any (ays along the years$ and ne,ertheless there (ere onstants in his hara ter that stayed fir#ly in 'la e* A stri!ing e@a#'le of this (as his o##it#ent as a 4es"it* He had #o,ed far beyond the enth"siasti 'ro#otion of the &'irit"al E@er ises a ording to the original design of &aint 1gnati"s)(hi h (as the thr"st for (hi h he first a#e to be inter) nationally a''re iated2 in fa t$ at the end he (as (ay o"t of (hat #ight be re ogni6ed as 1gnatian s'irit"ality* A"t he ne,er s"rrendered his 4es"it identity* There (as ob,io"sly no o#'"lsion in this2 'robably not #" h reasoning either* 1t (as +"st that he felt so #" h in t"ne (ith the #ind and heart of 1gnati"s$ as he !ne( and "nderstood the &aint* 1n a ho#ily that he addressed to the 4es"it Pro,in ials of 1ndia in 8:;B$ before they and he hi#self 'arti i'ated in the last General 5ongregation$ or 5ha'ter of the Order$ he shared $ (ith the# an insight into 1gnati"s (hi h (as e,en #ore a self)re,elation of Tony2 There is a tradition a#ong o"r early Fathers that God ga,e to 1gnati"s the gra es and haris#as that He intended for the &o iety as a (hole and for ea h indi,id"al 4es"it* 1f 1 (ere as!ed to hoose for #yself and for o"r &o iety today fro# a#ong the #any haris#as that 1gnati"s had* 1 (o"ld E"ite "nhesitatingly hoose three2 his onte#'lation$ his reati,ity and his o"rage$% Par#ananda R* >i,ar!ar &*4* Fth &e'te#ber* 8:;< -ARN1NG 1t is s a great #ystery that tho"gh the h"#an heart longs for Tr"th in (hi h alone it finds liberation and delight$ the first rea tion oG h"#an beings to Tr"th is one of hostility and fear* &o the &'irit"al Tea hers of h"#anity$ li!e A"ddha and 4es"s$ reated a de,i e to ir "#,ent the o''osition of their listeners3 the story They !ne( that the #ost entran ing (ords a lang"age holds are$ On e "'on a ti#e***%$ that it is o##on to o''ose a tr"th b"t i#'ossible to resist a story*

0yasa$ the a"thor of the Mahabharata* says that if yo" listen aref"lly to a story yo" (ilt ne,er be the sa#e again That is be a"se the story (ill (or# its (ay into yo"r heart and brea! do(n barriers to the di,ine E,en if yo" read the stories in this boo! only for the entertain#ent there is no g"arantee that an o asional story (ill not sli' thro"gh yo"r defen es and e@'lode (hen yo" least e@'e t it to* &o yo" ha,e been (arned8 1f yo" are foolhardy eno"gh to o"rt enlighten#ent$ this is (hat 1 s"ggest yo" do3 7A= 5arry a story aro"nd in yo"r #ind so yo" an d(ell on it in leis"re #o#ents* That (ill gi,e it a han e to (or! on yo"r s"b ons io"s and re,eal its hidden #eaning* Yo" (ill then be s"r'rised to see ho( it o#es to yo" E"ite "ne@'e tedly +"st (hen yo" need it to light "' an e,ent or sit"ation and faring yo" insight and inner healing* That is (hen yo" (ill reali6e that$ in e@'osing yo"rself to these stories$ yo" (ere a"diting a 5o"rse in Enlighten#ent for (hi h no g"r" is needed other than yo"rselfH 7A= &in e ea h of these stories is a re,elation of Tr"th arid sin e Tr"th$ (hen s'elt (ith o a'ital T* #eans the tr"th abo"t yo" #a!e s"re that ea h ti#e yo" read a story yo" single)#indedly sear h for a dee'er "nderstanding of yo"rself* The (ay one (o"ld read a Medi oH Aoo! ) (ondering if one has any of the sy#'to#s2 and not a Psy hology Aoo! )thin!ing (hat ty'i al s'e i#ens ones friends are* 1f yo" s" "#b to the te#'tation of see!ing insight into others$ the stories (ill do yo" da#age* &o 'assionate (as M"lla Nasr"ddins lo,e for tr"th that he tra,elled to distant 'la es in sear h of Iorani s holars and he felt no inhibitions abo"t dra(ing infidels at the ba6aar into dis "ssions abo"t the tr"ths of his faith* One day his (ife told hi# ho( "nfairly he (as treating her)and dis o,ered that her h"sband had no interest (hatsoe,er in that !ind of Tr"thH 1ts the only !ind that #atters$ of o"rse* O"rs (o"ld be a different (orld$ indeed$ if those of "s$ (ho are s holars and ideolog"es$ (hether religio"s or se "lar$ had the sa#e 'assion for self)!no(ledge that (e dis'lay for o"r theories and dog#as* E@ ellent ser#on$% said the 'arishioner$ as she '"#'ed the hand of the 'rea her* E,erything yo" said a''lies to so#eone or other 1 !no(*% &ee/ 1N&TRU5T1ON The stories are best read in the order in (hi h they are set o"t here Read no #ore than one or t(o at a ti#e)that is$ if yo" (ish to get anything #ore than entertain#ent fro# the# NOTE The stories in this boo! o#e fro# a ,ariety of o"ntries$ "lt"res and religions* They belong to the s'irit"al heritage)and 'o'"lar h"#o"r)of the h"#an ra e All that the a"thor has done is string the# together (ith a s'e ifi ai# in #ind* His tas! has been that of the (ea,er and the dyer He ta!es no redit at ail for the otton and the thread* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ -hen Arother Ar"no (as at 'rayer one night he (as dist"rbed by the roa!ing of a b"llfrog* All his atte#'ts to disregard the so"nd (ere "ns" essf"l so he sho"ted fro# his (indo($ D"ietH 1# at #y 'rayers*% No( Arother Ar"no (as a saint so his o##and (as instantly obeyed* E,ery li,ing reat"re held its ,oi e so as to reate a silen e that (o"ld be fa,o"rable to 'rayer*

A"t no( another so"nd intr"ded on Ar"nos (orshi') an inner ,oi e that said$ Maybe God is as 'leased (ith the roa!ing of that frog as (ith the hanting of yo"r 'sal#s*% -hat an 'lease the ears of God in the roa! of a frog/% (as Ar"nos s ornf"l re+oinder* A"t the ,oi e ref"sed to gi,e "'3 -hy (o"ld yo" thin! God in,ented the so"nd/% Ar"no de ided to find o"t (hy* He leaned o"t of his (indo( and ga,e the order$ &ingH% The b"llfrogs #eas"red roa!ing filled the air to the l"di ro"s a o#'ani#ent of all the frogs in the ,i inity* And as Ar"no attended to the so"nd$ their ,oi es eased to +ar for he dis o,ered that$ if he sto''ed resisting the#$ they a t"ally enri hed the silen e of the night* -ith that dis o,ery Ar"nos heart be a#e har#onio"s (ith the "ni,erse and$ for the first ti#e in his life he "nderstood (hat it #eans to 'ray* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A Hasidi tale3 The 4e(s of a s#all to(n in R"ssia (ere eagerly a(aiting the arri,al of a Rabbi* This (as going to be a rare e,ent so they s'ent a lot of ti#e 're'aring the E"estions they (ere going to '"t to the holy #an* -hen he finally arri,ed and they #et (ith hi# in the to(n hall$ he o"ld sense the tension in the at#os'here as all 're'ared to listen to the ans(ers he had for the#* He said nothing at first2 he +"st ga6ed into their eyes$ and h"##ed a ha"nting #elody* &oon e,eryone began to h"#* He started to sing and they sang along (ith hi#* He s(ayed and dan ed in sole#n$ #eas"red ste's* The ongregation follo(ed s"it* &oon they be a#e so in,ol,ed in the dan e$ so absorbed in its #o,e#ents that they (ere lost to e,erything else on earth2 so e,ery 'erson in that ro(d (as #ade (hole$ (as healed fro# the inner frag#entation that !ee's "s fro# the Tr"th* 1t (as nearly an ho"r before the dan e slo(ed do(n to a halt* -ith the tension drained o"t of their inner being e,eryone sat in the silent 'ea e that 'er,aded the roo#* Then the Rabbi s'o!e the only (ords he 'rono"n ed that e,ening3 1 tr"st that 1 ha,e ans(ered yo"r E"estions*% A der,ish (as as!ed (hy he (orshi''ed God thro"gh dan e* Ae a"se*% he re'lied$ to (orshi' God #eans to die to self2 dan ing !ills the self* -hen the self dies all 'roble#s die (ith it* -here the self is not* ?o,e is* God is* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ The Master sat (ith his dis i'les in the a"dien e* He said$ Yo" ha,e heard #any a 'rayer and said #any a 'rayer* Tonight 1 sho"ld li!e yo" to see one*% At that #o#ent the "rtain rose and the ballet began* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A &"fi saint set o"t on a 'ilgri#age to Me a* At the o"ts!irts of the ity he lay do(n by the road$ e@ha"sted fro# his +o"rney* He had barely fallen aslee' (hen he br"sE"ely a(a!ened by an irate 'ilgri#* This is the ti#e (hen all belie,ers bo( their heads to(ards Me a and yo" ha,e yo"r feet 'ointing to(ards the holy shrine* -hat sort of M"sli# are yo"/% The &"fi did not #o,e2 he #erely o'ened his eyes and said$ Arother$ (o"ld yo" do #e the fa,o"r of 'la ing #y feet (here they (ont be 'ointing to the ?ord/% The 'rayer of a de,otee to the ?ord 0ishn"3 ?ord$ 1 as! yo" to 'ardon #e for three #a+or sins3 first$ 1 (ent on 'ilgri#age to yo"r #any shrines$ obli,io"s of yo"r 'resen e e,ery(here2 se ond$ 1 so often ried to yo" for hel'$ forgetting that yo" are #ore on erned than 1 a# abo"t #y (elfare2 and finally$ here 1 a# as!ing for forgi,eness (hen 1 !no( that o"r sins are forgi,en before (e o##it the#*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ After #any years of labo"r an in,entor dis o,ered the art of #a!ing fire* He too! his tools to the sno() lad northern regions and initiated a tribe into the art)and

the ad,antages)of #a!ing fire* The 'eo'le be a#e so absorbed in this no,elty that it did not o "r to the# to than! the in,entor (ho one day E"ietly sli''ed a(ay* Aeing one of those rare h"#an beings endo(ed (ith greatness$ he had no desire to be re#e#bered or re,ered2 all he so"ght (as the satisfa tion of !no(ing that so#eone had benefited fro# his dis o,ery* The ne@t tribe he (ent to (as +"st as eager to learn as the first* A"t the lo al 'riests$ +ealo"s of the strangers hold on the 'eo'le$ had hi# assassinated* To allay any s"s'i ion of the ri#e$ they had a 'ortrait of the Great 1n,entor enthroned "'on the #ain altar of the te#'le2 and a lit"rgy designed so that his na#e (o"ld be re,ered and his #e#ory !e't ali,e* The greatest are (as ta!en that not a single r"bri of the lit"rgy (as altered or o#itted* The tools for #a!ing 7ire (ere enshrined (ithin a as!et and (ere said to bring healing to all (ho laid their hands on the# (ith faith* The High Priest hi#self "ndertoo! the tas! of o#'iling a ?ife of the 1n,entor* This be a#e the Holy boo! in (hi h his lo,ing !indness (as offered as an e@a#'le for all to e#"late$ his glorio"s deeds (ere e"logi6ed$ his s"'erh"#an nat"re #ade an arti le of faith* The 'riests sa( to it that the Aoo! (as handed do(n to f"t"re generations$ (hile they a"thoritati,ely inter'reted the #eaning of his (ords and the signifi an e of his holy life and death* And they r"thlessly '"nished (ith death or e@ o##"ni ation anyone (ho de,iated fro# their do trine* 5a"ght "' as they (ere in these religio"s tas!s$ the 'eo'le o#'letely forgot the art of #a!ing fire* Fro# the ?i,es of the >esert Fathers3 Abbot ?ot a#e to Abbot 4ose'h and said$ Father$ a ording to #y a'a ity 1 !ee' #y little r"le and #y little fast$ #y 'rayer$ #y #editation$ #y onte#'lati,e silen e2 and a ording as 1 a# able 1 leanse #y heart of e,il tho"ghts* No( (hat #ore sho"ld 1 do/ The elder stood "' in re'ly* He stret hed o"t his hand to hea,en and his fingers be a#e fire ten la#'s of fire* He said3 This3 be o#e totally hanged into fire*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A obbler a#e to Rabbi 1saa of Ger and said* Tell #e (hat to do abo"t #y #orning 'rayer* My "sto#ers are 'oor #en (ho ha,e only one 'air of shoes* 1 'i ! "' their shoes late in the e,ening and (or! on the# #ost of the night2 at da(n there is still (or! to be done if the #en are to ha,e their shoes ready before they go to (or!* No( #y E"estion is3 -hat sho"ld 1 do abo"t #y #orning 'rayer/% -hat ha,e yo" been doing till no(/% the Rabbi as!ed* &o#eti#es 1 r"sh thro"gh the 'rayer E"i !ly and get ba ! to #y (or!)b"t then 1 feet bad abo"t it At other ti#es 1 let the ho"r of 'rayer go by Then too 1 feel a sense of loss and e,ery no( and then$ as f raise #y ha##er fro# the shoes$ 1 an al#ost hear #y heart sigh* -hat an "nl" !y #an 1 a# that 1 a# not able to #a!e #y #orning 'rayer*% &aid the Rabbi* 1f 1 (ere God 1 (o"ld ,al"e that #ore than the 'rayer*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A Hasidi tale3 ?ate one e,ening a 'oor far#er on his (ay ba ! fro# the #ar!et fo"nd hi#self (itho"t his 'rayer boo!* The (heel of his art had o#e off right in the #iddle of the (oods and it distressed hi# that this day sho"ld 'ass (itho"t his ha,ing said his 'rayers* &o this is the 'rayer he #ade3 1 ha,e done so#ething ,ery foolish$ ?ord* 1 a#e a(ay fro# ho#e this #orning (itho"t #y 'rayer boo! and #y #e#ory is s" h that 1 annot re ite a single 'rayer (itho"t it* &o this is (hat 1 a# going to do3 1 shall re ite the al'habet fi,e ti#es ,ery slo(ly and yo"$ to (ho# all 'rayers are !no(n$ an '"t the letters together to for# the 'rayers 1 ant re#e#ber$% And the ?ord said to his angels$ Of all the 'rayers 1 ha,e heard today$ this one (as "ndo"btedly the best be a"se it a#e fro# a heart that (as si#'le and sin ere*%

JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ 1t is the "sto# a#ong 5atholi s to onfess their sins to a 'riest and re ei,e absol"tion fro# hi# as a sign of Gods forgi,eness* No( all too often there is the danger that 'enitents (ill "se this as a sort of g"arantee$ a ertifi ate that (ill 'rote t the# fro# di,ine retrib"tion$ thereby 'la ing #ore tr"st in the absol"tion of the 'riest than in the #er y of God* This is (hat Per"gini$ an 1talian 'ainter of the Middle Ages$ (as te#'ted to do (hen he (as dying* He de ided that he (o"ld not go to onfession if$ in his fear$ he (as see!ing to sa,e his s!in* That (o"ld be a sa rilege and an ins"lt to God* His (ife$ (ho !ne( nothing of the #ans inner dis'osition$ on e as!ed hi# if he did not fear to die "n onfessed* Per"gini re'lied3 ?oo! at it this (ay$ #y dear3 My 'rofession is to 'aint and 1 ha,e e@ elled as a 'ainter* Gods 'rofession is to forgi,e and if he is good at his 'rofession as 1 ha,e been at #ine$ 1 see no reason to be afraid*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ The 1ndian sage$ Narada$ (as a de,otee of the ?ord Hari* &o great (as his de,otion that he (as one day te#'ted to thin! that in all the (orld there (as no one (ho lo,ed God #ore than he* The ?ord read his heart and said$ Narada$ go to this to(n on the ban!s of the Ganges for a de,otee of #ine d(ells there) ?i,ing in his o#'any (ill do yo" good Narada (ent and fo"nd a far#er (ho rose early in the #orning$ 'rono"n ed the na#e of Hari only on e$ 7hen lifted his 'lo"gh and (ent o"t to his fields (here he (or!ed all day* 4"st before he fell aslee' at night he 'rono"n ed the na#e of Hari on e again* Narada tho"ght$ Ho( an this r"sti be a de,otee of God/ 1 see hi# i##ersed all day in his (orldly o "'ations*% Then the ?ord said to Narada$ Fill a bo(l to the bri# (ith #il! and (al! all ro"nd the ity* Then o#e ba ! (itho"t s'illing a single dro'*% Narada did as he (as told* Ho( #any ti#es did yo" re#e#ber #e in the o"rse of yo"r (al! aro"nd the ity/% as!ed the ?ord* .Not on e* ?ord*% said Narada* Ho( o"ld 1 (hen yo" o##anded #e to (at h that bo(l of #il!*% The ?ord said$ That bo(l so absorbed yo"r attention that yo" forgot #e altogether* A"t loo! at that 'easant (ho tho"gh b"rdened (ith the ares of s"''orting a fa#ily$ re#e#bers #e t(i e e,ery day/% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ The ,illage 'riest (as a holy #an so ea h ti#e the 'eo'le (ere in tro"ble they had re o"rse to hi#* He (o"ld then (ithdra( to a s'e ial 'la e in the forest and say a s'e ial 'rayer* God (o"ld al(ays hear his 'rayer and the ,illage (o"ld be hel'ed* -hen he died and the 'eo'le (ere in tro"ble they had re o"rse lo his s" essor (ho (as not a holy #an b"t !ne( the se ret of the s'e ial 'la e in the forest and the s'e ial 'rayer* &o he said* ?ord$ yo" !no( 1 a# not a holy #an* A"t s"rely yo" are not going to hold that against #y 'eo'le/ &o listen to #y 'rayer and o#e to o"r assistan e*% And God (o"ld hear his 'rayer and the ,illage (o"ld be hel'ed* -hen he too died and the 'eo'le (ere in tro"ble they had re o"rse to his s" essor (ho !ne( the s'e ial 'rayer b"t not the 'la e in the forest* &o he said* -hat do yo" are for 'la es$ ?ord/ 1s not e,ery 'la e #ade holy by yo"r 'resen e/ &o listen to #y 'rayer and o#e to o"r assistan e*% And on e again God (o"ld hear his 'rayer and the ,illage (o"ld be hel'ed* No( he too died and (hen the 'eo'le (ere in tro"ble they had re o"rse to his s" essor (ho did not !no( the s'e ial 'rayer or the s'e ial 'la e in the forest* &o he said* 1t isnt the for#"la that yo" ,al"e* ?ord$ b"t the ry of the heart in distress* &o listen to #y 'rayer and o#e to o"r assistan e*% And on e again God (o"ld hear his 'rayer and the ,illage (o"ld be hel'ed*

After this #an died (hen the 'eo'le (ere in tro"ble they had re o"rse to his s" essor* No( this 'riest had #ore "se for #oney than for 'rayer* &o he (o"ld say to God$ -hat sort of a God are yo" that (hile yo" are 'erfe tly a'able of sol,ing 'roble#s that yo" yo"rself ha,e a"sed$ yo" still ref"se to lift a finger "ntil yo" ha,e "s ringe and beg and 'lead/ -ell$ yo" an do as yo" 'lease (ith the 'eo'le*% Then he (o"ld go right ba ! to (hate,er b"siness he had in hand* And$ on e again$ God (o"ld hear his 'rayer and the ,illage (o"ld be hel'ed* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ An elderly (o#an (ho (as an enth"siasti gardener de lared that she had no faith (hatsoe,er in 'redi tions that so#e day s ientists (o"ld learn to ontrol the (eather* A ording to her all that (as needed to ontrol the (eather (as 'rayer* Then one s"##er$ (hile she (as a(ay on a foreign tri'$ a dro"ght hit the land and (i'ed o"t her entire garden* &he (as so "'set (hen she got ba ! that she hanged her religion* &he sho"ld ha,e hanged her silly beliefs* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ 1ts no good ha,ing o"r 'rayers ans(ered 1f they are not ans(ered at the right ti#e3 1n an ient 1ndia #" h store (as set by the 0edi rites (hi h (ere said to be so s ientifi in their a''li ation that (hen the sages 'rayed for rain there (as ne,er any dro"ght* 1t is th"s that a #an set hi#self to 'ray$ a ording to these rites$ to the goddess of (ealth$ ?a!sh#i$ begging her to #a!e hi# ri h* He 'rayed to no effe t for ten long years$ after (hi h 'eriod of ti#e$ he s"ddenly sa( the ill"sory nat"re of (ealth and ado'ted the life of a ren"n iate in the Hi#alayas* He (as sitting in #editation one day (hen he o'ened his eyes and sa( before hi# an e@traordinarily bea"tif"l (o#an$ all bright and shining as if she (ere #ade of gold* -ho are yo" and (hat are yo" doing here/% he as!ed* 1 a# the goddess ?a!sh#i to (ho# yo" re ited hy#ns for t(el,e years$% said the (o#an* 1 ha,e a''eared to grant yo" yo"r desire*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ Ah$ #y dear goddess$% e@ lai#ed the #an$ 1 ha,e sin e attained the bliss of #editation and lost #y desire for (ealth* Yo" o#e too late* Tell #e$ (hy did yo" delay so long in o#ing/% To tell yo" the tr"th$% said the goddess$ Gi,en the nat"re of those rites yo" so faithf"lly 'erfor#ed yo" had f"lly earned the (ealth* A"t$ in #y lo,e for yo" and #y desire for yo"r (elfare$ 1 held it ba !*% 1f yo" had the hoi e$ (hi h (o"ld yo" hoose3 the granting of yo"r 'etition or the gra e to be 'ea ef"l (hether it is granted or not/ JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ One day M"lla Nasr"ddin sa( the ,illage s hool#aster leading a gro"' of hildren to(ards the #osE"e* -hat are yo" ta!ing the# there for/% he as!ed* There is a dro"ght in the land$% said the tea her$ and (e tr"st that the ries of the inno ent (ill #o,e the heart of the Al#ighty*% 1t isnt the ries$ (hether inno ent or ri#inal$ that o"nt$% said the M"lla$ b"t (isdo# and a(areness*% Ho( dare yo" #a!e s" h a blas'he#o"s state#ent in the 'resen e of these hildrenH% ried the tea her* Pro,e (hat yo" ha,e said$ or yo" shall be deno"n ed as a hereti *% Easy eno"gh$% said Nasr"ddin* 1f the 'rayers of hildren o"nted for anything there (o"ldnt be a s hool tea her in all the land$ for there is nothing they so detest as going to s hool* The reason yo" ha,e s"r,i,ed those 'rayers is that (e$

(ho !no( better than the JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ

hildren$ ha,e !e't yo" (here yo" are/%

A 'io"s old #an 'rayed fi,e ti#es a day (hile his b"siness 'artner ne,er set foot in h"r h* And no($ on his eightieth birthday he 'rayed th"s3 Oh ?ord o"r GodH &in e 1 (as a yo"th not a day ha,e 1 allo(ed to 'ass (itho"t o#ing to h"r h in the #orning and saying #y 'rayers at the fi,e s'e ified ti#es* NoH a single #o,e$ not one de ision$ i#'ortant or trifling did 1 #a!e (itho"t first in,o!ing yo"r Na#e* And no($ in #y old age$ 1 ha,e do"bled #y e@er ises of 'iety and 'ray to yo" easelessly$ night and day* Yet here 1 a#$ 'oor as a h"r h #o"se* A"t loo! at #y b"siness 'artner* He drin!s and ga#bles and$ e,en at his ad,an ed age$ onsorts (ith (o#en of E"estionable hara ter yet hes rolling in (ealth* 1 (onder if a single 'rayer has e,er rossed his li's* No($ ?ord$ 1 do not as! that he be '"nished$ for that (o"ld be "n hristian* A"t 'lease tell #e3 -hy$ (hy$ (hy*** ha,e yo" let hi# 'ros'er and (hy do yo" treat #e th"s/% Ae a"se$% said God in re'ly$ yo" are s" h a #on"#ental boreH% The R"le in a #onastery (as not$ >o not s'ea!$% b"t$ >o not s'ea! "nless yo" an i#'ro,e on the silen e*% Might not the sa#e be said of 'rayer/ JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ Of 'rayers and 'rayers3 Grand#other3 >o yo" say yo"r 'rayers e,ery night/% Grandson3 Oh$ yesH% And e,ery #orning/% No* 1# not s ared in the dayti#e*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ Pio"s old lady$ after the (ar3 God (as ,ery good to "s* -e 'rayed and 'rayed$ so ail the bo#bs fell on the other side of the to(nH% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ &o intolerable had Hitlers 'erse "tion of the 4e(s be o#e that t(o 4e(s de ided to assassinate hi#* They #o"nted g"ard$ their g"ns at the ready$ at a s'ot by (hi h they !ne( the F"ehrer (as to 'ass* He (as long in o#ing and a horrible tho"ght o "rred to &a#"el* 4osh"a*% he said$ say a 'rayer that nothings ha''ened to the #anH% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ They had #ade it their "sto# to in,ite their 'io"s a"nt to go (ith the# on their 'i ni ea h year* This year they forgot* -hen the in,itation did o#e at the last #in"te$ she said$ 1ts too late no(* 1,e already 'rayed for rain*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A 'riest obser,ed a (o#an sitting in the e#'ty h"r h (ith her head in her hands* An ho"r 'assed* Then t(o* &till she (as there* 4"dging her to be a so"l in distress$ and eager to be of assistan e$ he (ent "' to the (o#an and said* 1s there any (ay 1 an be of hel'/% No$ than! yo"* Father*% she said* 1,e been getting all the hel' 1 need*% Until yo" interr"'tedH JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ An old #an (o"ld sit #otionless for ho"rs on end in hi# (hat God tal!ed to hi# abo"t* God doesnt tal!* He +"st listens$% (as his re'ly* -ell$ then (hat do yo" tal! to hi# abo"t/% 1 dont tal! either* 1 +"st listen*% The fo"r stages of Prayer2 h"r h* One day a 'riest as!ed

1 tal!$ yo" listen* Yo" tal!$ 1 listen* Neither tal!s$ both listen* Neither tal!s$ neither listens3 &ilen e JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ The &"fi Aaya6id Aista#i des ribes his 'rogress in the art of 'rayer3 The first ti#e 1 ,isited the Iaaba at Me a$ 1 sa( the Iaaba* The se ond ti#e 1 sa( the ?ord of the Iaaba* The third ti#e 1 sa( neither the Iaaba nor the ?ord of the Iaaba*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ The Mogh"l E#'eror$ A!bar$ (as one day o"t h"nting in the forest* -hen it (as ti#e for e,ening 'rayer he dis#o"nted$ s'read his #at on the earth and !nelt to 'ray in the #anner of de,o"t M"sli#s e,ery(here* No( it (as 're isely at this ti#e that a 'easant (o#an$ 'ert"rbed by the disa''earan e of her h"sband (ho had left ho#e that #orning and hadnt ret"rned$ (ent r"shing by$ an@io"sly sear hing for her h"sband* 1n her 'reo "'ation she did not noti e the !neeling fig"re of the E#'eror and tri''ed o,er hi#$ then got "' and (itho"t a (ord of a'ology r"shed f"rther into the forest* A!bar (as annoyed at this interr"'tion b"t$ being a good M"sli#$ he obser,ed the r"le of s'ea!ing to no one d"ring the na#aa6* No( +"st abo"t the ti#e that his 'rayer (as o,er the (o#an ret"rned$ +oyf"l in the o#'any of her h"sband (ho# she had fo"nd* &he (as s"r'rised and frightened to see the E#'eror and his ento"rage there* A!bar ga,e ,ent to his anger against her and sho"ted$ E@'lain yo"r disres'e tf"l beha,io"r or yo" (ill be '"nished*% The (o#an s"ddenly t"rned fearless$ loo!ed into the E#'erors eyes and said$ Yo"r Ma+esty$ 1 (as so absorbed in the tho"ght of #y h"sband that 1 did not e,en see yo" here$ not e,en (hen$ as yo" say$ 1 st"#bled o,er yo"* No( (hile yo" (ere at na#aa6$ yo" (ere absorbed in one (ho is infinitely #ore 're io"s than #y h"sband* And ho( is it yo" noti ed* The E#'eror (as sha#ed into silen e and later onfided to his friends that a 'easant (o#an$ (ho (as neither a s holar nor a M"llah$ had ta"ght hi# the #eaning of 'rayer* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ On e the Master (as at 'rayer* The dis i'les a#e "' to hi# and said$ &ir$ tea h "s ho( to 'ray*% This is ho( he ta"ght the#**** T(o #en (ere on e (al!ing thro"gh a field (hen they sa( an angry b"ll* 1nstantly they #ade for the nearest fen e (ith the b"ll in hot '"rs"it* 1t soon be a#e e,i) dent to the# that they (ere not going to #a!e it$ so one #an sho"ted to the other$ -e,e had itH Nothing an sa,e "s* &ay a 'rayer* D"i !H% The other sho"ted ba !$ 1,e ne,er 'rayed in #y life and 1 dont ha,e a 'rayer for this o asion*% Ne,er #ind* The b"ll is at hing "' (ith "s* Any 'rayer (ill do*% -ell$ 1ll say the one 1 re#e#ber #y father "sed to say before #eals2 for (hat (e are abo"t to re ei,e* ?ord$ #a!e "s tr"ly gratef"l*% Nothing s"r'asses the holiness of those (ho ha,e learnt 'erfe t a e'tan e of e,erything that is* 1n the ga#e of ards alled life one 'lays the hand one is dealt to the best of ones ability* Those (ho insist on 'laying$ not the hand they (ere gi,en b"t the one they insist they sho"ld ha,e been dealt these are lifes fail"res*

-e are not as!ed if (e (ill 'lay* That is not an o'tion* Play (e #"st The o'tion is ho(* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A rabbi on e as!ed a '"'il (hat (as bothering hi#* My 'o,erty$% (as the re'ly* &o (ret hed is #y ondition that 1 an hardly st"dy and 'ray*% 1n this day and age$% said the rabbi$ the finest 'rayer and the finest st"dy lie in a e'ting life e@a tly as yo" find it*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ On a bitterly old day a rabbi and his dis i'les (ere h"ddled aro"nd a fire* One of the dis i'les e hoing his #asters tea hings$ said$ On a free6ing day li!e this 1 !no( e@a tly (hat to doH% -hat/% as!ed the others* Iee' (ar#H And if that isnt 'ossible$ 1 still !no( (hat to do*% -hat/% Free6e*% Present Reality annot really be re+e ted or a e'ted* To r"n a(ay fro# it is li!e r"nning a(ay fro# yo"r feet* To a e't it is li!e !issing yo"r li's* All yo" need to do is see$ "nderstand$ and be at rest* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A #an (ent to see a 'sy hiatrist and said that e,ery night he (as ,isited by a t(el,e)foot dragon (ith three heads* He (as a ner,o"s (re !$ o"ld not slee' at all and (as on the ,erge of total olla'se* He had e,en tho"ght of s"i ide* 1 thin! 1 an hel' yo"$% said the 'sy hiatrist$ b"t 1 #"st (arn yo" that it (ill ta!e a year or t(o and (ill ost three tho"sand dollars*% Three tho"sand dollarsH% the #an e@ lai#ed* Forget itH 1ll +"st go ho#e and #a!e friends (ith it*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ The M"sli# #ysti $ Farid$ (as 're,ailed "'on by his neighbo"rs to go to the o"rt in >elhi and obtain a fa,o"r fro# A!bar for the ,illage* Farid (al!ed into the o"rt and fo"nd A!bar at his 'rayers3 -hen the E#'eror finally e#erged$ Farid as!ed* -hat sort of 'rayer did yo" #a!e/% 1 'rayed that the All)Mer if"l (o"ld besto( s" ess and (ealth and long life on #e$% (as the re'ly* Farid 'ro#'tly t"rned his ba ! on the E#'eror and (al!ed a(ay$ re#ar!ing$ 1 a#e to see an E#'eror* -hat 1 find here is a beggar no different fro# the restH% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ There (as on e a (o#an (ho (as religio"s and de,o"t and filled (ith lo,e for God* Ea h #orning she (o"ld go to 5h"r h* And on her (ay hildren (o"ld all o"t to her$ beggars (o"ld a ost her$ b"t so i##ersed (as she in her de,otions that she did not e,en see the#* No( one day she (al!ed do(n the street in her "sto#ary #anner and arri,ed at the h"r h +"st in ti#e for ser,i e* &he '"shed the door$ b"t it (o"ld not o'en* &he '"shed it again harder$ and fo"nd the door (as lo !ed* >istressed at the tho"ght that she (o"ld #iss ser,i e for the first ti#e in years$ and not !no(ing (hat to do$ she loo!ed "'* And there$ right before her fa e$ she fo"nd a note 'inned on to the door*

1t said$ 1# o"t thereH% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ Of a saint it "sed to be said that ea h ti#e he left ho#e to go and 'erfor# his religio"s d"ties he (o"ld say$ And no($ ?ord$ goodbyeH 1 a# off to 5h"r h*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A #on! (as (al!ing in the #onastery gro"nds one day (hen he heard a bird sing* He listened$ s'ellbo"nd* 1t see#ed to hi# that ne,er before had he heard$ b"t really heard$ the song of a bird* -hen the singing sto''ed he ret"rned to the #onastery and dis o,ered$ to his dis#ay$ that he (as a stranger to his fello( #on!s$ and they to hi#* 1t (as only grad"ally that they and he dis o,ered that he (as ret"rning after ent"ries* Ae a"se his listening (as total$ ti#e had sto''ed and he had sli''ed into eternity* Prayer is #ade 'erfe t (hen the ti#eless is dis o,ered* The ti#eless is dis o,ered thro"gh larity of 'er e'tion* Per e'tion is #ade lear (hen it is disengaged fro# 're on e'tions and fro# all onsideration of 'ersonal loss or gain* .Then the #ira "lo"s is seen and the heart is filled (ith (onder* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ -hen the Master in,ited the Go,ernor to 'ra tise #editation and the Go,ernor said he (as too b"sy$ this is the re'ly he got3 Yo" '"t #e in #ind of a #an (al!ing blind)folded into the +"ngle)and too b"sy to ta!e the blindfold off*% -hen the Go,ernor 'leaded la ! of ti#e$ the Master said$ 1t is a #ista!e to thin! that #editation annot be 'ra tised for la ! of ti#e* The real a"se is agitation of the #ind*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ An effi ien y e@'ert (as #a!ing his re'ort to Henry Ford* As yo" (ell see* sir$ the re'ort is highly fa,o"rable$ e@ e't for that #an do(n the hall* E,ery ti#e 1 'ass by hes sitting (ith his feet on his des!* Hes (asting yo"r #oney* &aid Ford* That #an on e had an idea that earned "s a fort"ne* At the ti#e 1 belie,e his feet (ere e@a tly (here they are no(*% There (as an e@ha"sted (ood "tter (ho !e't (asting ti#e and energy ho''ing (ood (ith a bl"nt a@e be a"se he did not ha,e the ti#e$ he said$ to sto' and shar'en the blade* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ On e "'on a ti#e there (as a forest (here the birds sang by day and the inse ts by night* Trees flo"rished$ flo(ers bloo#ed and all #anner of reat"res roa#ed abo"t in freedo#* And all (ho entered there (ere led to &olit"de (hi h is the ho#e of God (ho d(ells in Nat"res silen e and Nat"res bea"ty* A"t then the Age of Un ons io"sness arri,ed (hen it be a#e 'ossible for 'eo'le to onstr" t b"ildings a tho"sand feet high and to destroy ri,ers and forests and #o"ntains in a #onth* &o ho"ses of (orshi' (ere b"ilt fro# the (ood of the forest trees and fro# the stone "nder the forest soil* Pinna le$ s'ire and #inaret 'ointed to(ards the s!y2 the air (as filled (ith the so"nd of bells$ (ith 'rayer and hant and e@hortation*

And God (as s"ddenly (itho"t a ho#e* God hides things by '"tting the# before o"r eyesH Har!H ?isten to the song of the bird$ the (ind in the trees$ the o ean roar2 loo! at a tree$ a falling leaf$ a flo(er as if for the first ti#e* Yo" #ight s"ddenly #a!e onta t (ith Reality (ith that Paradise fro# (hi h (e$ ha,ing fallen fro# hildhood$ are e@ l"ded by o"r !no(ledge* &ays the 1ndian #ysti &araha3 Ino( the taste of this fla,o"r -hi h is the absen e of Ino(ledge* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A-ARENE&& A great religio"s 'erse "tion bro!e o"t in the land and the three Pillars of religion* & ri't"re* -orshi' and 5harity a''eared before God to e@'ress their fear that$ if religion (as sta#'ed o"t$ they (o"ld ease to e@ist* Not to (orry*% said the ?ord* 1 'lan to send One to earth (ho is greater than all of yo"*% Ay (hat na#e is this Great One alled/% &elf)!no(ledge*% said God* He (ill do greater things than any of yo" ha,e done*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ Three (ise #en set o"t on a +o"rney for$ e,en tho"gh they (ere onsidered (ise in their o(n o"ntry$ they (ere h"#ble eno"gh to ho'e that tra,el (o"ld broaden their #inds* They had barely rossed into a neighbo"ring o"ntry (hen they sa( a s!ys ra'er in the distan e* -hat o"ld this enor#o"s ob+e t be$ they as!ed the#sel,es/ The ob,io"s ans(er (o"ld ha,e been3 go "' and find o"t* A"t no$ that #ight be too dangero"s* &"''ose it (as so#ething that e@'loded as one a''roa hed/ 1t (as altogether (iser to de ide (hat it (as before finding o"t* 0ario"s theories (ere '"t for(ard$ e@a#ined and$ on the basis of their 'ast e@'erien e$ re+e ted* Finally$ it (as deter#ined$ also on the basis of 'ast e@'erien e of (hi h they had an ab"ndant s"''ly$ that the ob+e t in E"estion$ (hate,er it (as o"ld only ha,e been 'la ed there by giants* This led the# to the on l"sion that it (o"ld be safer to a,oid this o"ntry altogether* &o they (ent ba ! ho#e ha,ing added so#ething to their f"nd of e@'erien e* Ass"#'tions affe t Obser,ation* Obser,ation breeds 5on,i tion* 5on,i tion 'rod" es E@'erien e* E@'erien e generates Aeha,io"r$ (hi h$ in t"rn$ onfir#s Ass"#'tions* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ Ass"#'tions3 A o"'le of h"nters hartered a 'lane to fly the# into forest territory* T(o (ee!s later the 'ilot a#e to ta!e the# ba !* He too! a loo! at the ani#als they had shot and said$ This 'lane (ont ta!e #ore than one (ild b"ffalo* Yo"ll ha,e to

lea,e the other behind*% A"t last year the 'ilot let "s ta!e t(o in a 'lane this si6e$% the h"nters 'rotested* The 'ilot (as do"btf"l$ b"t finally he said$ -ell$ if yo" did it last year 1 g"ess (e an do it again*% &o the 'lane too! off (ith the three #en and t(o b"ffaloes* A"t it o"ldnt gain height and rashed into a neighbo"ring hill* The #en li#bed o"t and loo!ed aro"nd* One h"nter said to the other$ -here do yo" thin! (e are/% The other ins'e ted the s"rro"ndings and said* 1 thin! (ere abo"t t(o #iles to the left of (here (e rashed last year*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ And #ore ass"#'tions3 A #arried o"'le (as ret"rning fro# the f"neral of Un le George (ho had li,ed (ith the# for t(enty years and had been s" h a n"isan e that he al#ost s" eeded in (re !ing their #arriage* There is so#ething 1 ha,e to say to yo"$ dear*% said the #an* 1f it hadnt been for #y lo,e for yo" 1 (o"ldnt ha,e '"t "' (ith yo"r Un le George for a single day*% My Un le GeorgeH% she e@ lai#ed in horror* 1 tho"ght he (as yo"r Un le GeorgeH% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ 1n the s"##er of 8:FK the r"#o"r of a fa#ine s(e't thro"gh a 'ro,in e in a &o"th A#eri an o"ntry* A t"ally the ro's (ere gro(ing (ell$ and the (eather (as 'erfe t for a b"#'er har,est* A"t on the strength of that r"#o"r 9C$CCC s#all far#ers abandoned their far#s and fled to the ities* Ae a"se of their a tion the ro's failed$ tho"sands star,ed and the r"#o"r abo"t the fa#ine 'ro,ed tr"e* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ Many$ #any years ago$ ba ! in the Middle Ages$ the Po'e (as "rged by his ad,isors to banish the 4e(s fro# Ro#e* 1t (as "nsee#ly$ they said that these 'eo'le sho"ld be li,ing "n#olested in the ,ery entre of 5atholi is#* An edi t of e,i tion (as dra(n "' and 'ro#"lgated #" h to the dis#ay of the 4e(s (ho !ne( that (here,er else they (ent they o"ld only e@'e t (orse treat#ent than (as #eted o"t to the# in Ro#e* &o they 'leaded (ith the Po'e to re onsider the edi t* The Po'e$ a fair) #inded #an$ offered the# a s'orting 'ro'osition3 ?et the 4e(s a''oint so#eone to debate (ith hi# in 'anto#i#e* 1f their s'o!es#an (on the 4e(s #ight stay* The 4e(s #et to onsider this 'ro'osal* To t"rn it do(n (as to be e,i ted fro# Ro#e* To a e't it (as to o"rt ertain defeat$ for (ho o"ld (in a debate in (hi h the Po'e (as both 'arti i'ant and +"dge/ &till$ there (as nothing for it b"t to a e't* Only$ it (as i#'ossible to find so#eone to ,ol"nteer for the tas! of debating (ith the Po'e* The b"rden of ha,ing the fate of the 4e(s on his sho"lders (as #ore than anyone #an o"ld bear* No( (hen the synagog"e +anitor heard (hat (as going on he a#e before the 5hief Rabbi and ,ol"nteered to re'resent his 'eo'le in the debate* The +anitor/% said the other rabbis (hen they heard of this* 1#'ossibleH% -ell$% said the hief Rabbi$ None of "s is (illing* 1t is either the +anitor or no debate*% Th"s for la ! of anyone else the +anitor (as a''ointed to debate (ith the Po'e* -hen the great day arri,ed$ the Po'e sat on a throne in &t Peters sE"are s"rro"nded by his ardinals$ fa ing a large ro(d of bisho's$ 'riests and faithf"l* Presently the little 4e(ish delegation arri,ed in their bla ! robes and flo(ing beards$ (ith the +anitor in their #idst* The Po'e t"rned to fa e the +anitor and the debate began* The Po'e sole#nly raised one finger and tra ed it a ross the hea,ens* The +anitor 'ro#'tly 'ointed (ith e#'hasis to(ards the gro"nd* The Po'e see#ed so#e(hat ta!en aba !* E,en #ore sole#nly he raised one finger again and !e't it fir#ly before the 4anitors fa e* The +anitor there"'on lifted three fingers and held the# +"st as fir#ly before the

Po'e (ho see#ed astonished by the gest"re* Then the Po'e thr"st his hand into his robes and '"lled o"t an a''le* -here"'on the +anitor thr"st his hand into his 'a'er bag and '"lled o"t a flat 'ie e of #at6o* At this the Po'e e@'lained in a lo"d ,oi e$ The 4e(ish re'resentati,e has (on the debate* The edi t of e,i tion is hereby re,o!ed*% The 4e(ish leaders 'ro#'tly s"rro"nded the +anitor and led hi# a(ay* The ardinals l"stered aro"nd the Po'e in astonish#ent* -hat ha''ened$ yo"r Holiness/% then as!ed* 1t (as i#'ossible for "s to follo( the ra'id thr"st and 'arry of the debate*% The Po'e (i'ed the s(eat fro# his forehead and said$ That #an is a brilliant theologian$ a #aster in debate* 1 began by s(ee'ing #y hand a ross the s!y to indi ate that the (hole "ni,erse belongs to God* He thr"st his finger do(n(ard to re#ind #e that there is a 'la e alled Hell (here the de,il reigns s"'re#e* 1 then raised one finger to signify that God is one* 1#agine #y sho ! (hen he raised three fingers to indi ate that this one God #anifests Hi#self eE"ally in three 'ersons$ thereby s"bs ribing to o"r o(n do trine of the TrinityH Ino(ing that it (as i#'ossible to get the better of this theologi al geni"s 1 finally shifted the debate to another area* 1 '"lled o"t an a''le to indi ate that a ording to so#e ne()fangled ideas the earth is ro"nd* He instantly 'rod" ed a flat 'ie e of "nlea,ened bread to re#ind #e that$ a ording to the Aible$ the earth is flat* &o there (as nothing to do b"t on ede the ,i tory to hi#*% Ay no( the 4e(s had arri,ed at their synagog"e* -hat ha''ened they as!ed the +anitor in be(ilder#ent* The +anitor (as indignant* 1t (as all a lot of r"bbish$% he said* ?oo!* First the Po'e #o,es his hand li!e he is telling all the 4e(s to get o"t of Ro#e* &o 1 'ointed do(n(ards to #a!e it lear to hi# that (e (ere not going to b"dge* &o he 'oints a finger to #e threateningly as if to say* >ont get fresh (ith #e* &o 1 'oint three fingers to tell hi# he (as thri e as fresh (ith "s (hen he arbitrarily ordered "s o"t of Ro#e* The ne@t thing$ 1 see hi# ta!ing o"t his l"n h* &o 1 too! o"t #ine*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ Reality$ #ostly$ is not (hat it is b"t (hat (e ha,e de ided it is3 A little old 4e(ish lady sits do(n in a 'lane ne@t to a big &(ede and !ee's staring at hi#* Finally she t"rns to hi# and says$ Pardon #e$ are yo" 4e(ish/% He says$ No*% A fe( #in"tes later she t"rns to hi# again and says$ Yo" an tell #e$ yo" !no() yo" are 4e(ish$ arent yo"/% He says$ Most ertainly not*% &he !ee's st"dying hi# for so#e #in"tes$ then says again$ 1 an tell yo" are 4e(ish*% 1n order to get rid of the annoyan e the #an says$ O*I*$ so 1# 4e(ishH% &he)loo!s at hi# again$ sha!es her head and says* Yo" ertainly dont loo! it*% -e first #a!e o"r on l"sions ) then find so#e (ay to arri,e at the#* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A (o#an in the gro ery de'art#ent of a s"'er)#ar!et bent do(n to 'i ! "' so#e to#atoes* At that #o#ent she felt a shar' 'ain shooting do(n herGba !2 she be a#e i##obili6ed and let o"t a shrie!* A sho''er standing ne@t to her leaned o,er !no(ingly and said$ 1f yo" thin! to#atoes are bad$ yo" sho"ld see the 'ri e of the fishH% is it Reality yo" are res'onding to or yo"r ass"#'tions abo"t it/ JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A #an got into a b"s and fo"nd hi#self sitting ne@t to a yo"ngster (ho (as ob,io"sly a hi''y* He (as (earing only one shoe* Yo",e e,idently lost a shoe$ son*% No #an$% a#e the re'ly* 1 fo"nd one*% 1t is e,ident to #e2

that does not #ean it is tr"e* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A o(boy (as riding a ross the desert (hen he a#e "'on an 1ndian lying on the road (ith his head and ear to the gro"nd* Ho( yah doing$ hief/% said the o(boy* Aig 'alefa e (ith red hair dri,ing dar! green Mer edes)Aen6 (ith Ger#an she'herd dog inside and li ense 'late n"#ber &>T:KL going headed -est*% Gee hief$ yah #ean yo" hear all that +"st listening to the gro"nd/% 1# not listening to the gro"nd* The &OA ran o,er #e* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ An oyster sa( a loose 'earl that had fallen into the re,i e of a ro ! on the o ean bed* After great effort she #anaged to retrie,e the 'earl and 'la e it +"st beside her on a leaf* &he !ne( that h"#ans sear hed for 'earls and tho"ght$ This 'earl (ill te#'t the#$ so they (ill ta!e it and let #e be*% -hen a 'earl di,er sho(ed "'$ ho(e,er$ his eyes (ere onditioned to loo! for oysters and not for 'earls resting on lea,es* &o he grabbed the oyster (hi h did not ha''en to ha,e a 'earl and allo(ed the real 'earl to roll ba ! into the re,i e in the ro !* Yo" !no( e@a tly (here to loo!* That is the reason (hy yo" fail to find God* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A (o#an at a ban! as!ed the ashier to ash a heE"e for her* 5iting o#'any 'oli y the ashier as!ed her for identifi ation* The (o#an gas'ed* Finally$ she #anaged to say$ A"t 4onathan$ 1# yo"r #otherH% 1f yo" thin! this is f"nny$ ho( o#e yo" fail yo"rself to re ogni6e the #essiah/ JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A #an too! his ne( h"nting dog o"t on a trial h"nt* Presently he shot a d" ! that fell into the la!e* The dog (al!ed o,er the (ater$ 'i !ed the d" ! "' and bro"ght it to his #aster* The #an (as flabbergastedH He shot another d" !* On e again$ (hile he r"bbed his eyes in disbelief$ the dog (al!ed o,er the (ater and retrie,ed the d" !* Hardly daring to belie,e (hat he had seen$ he alled his neighbo"r for a shoot the follo(ing day* On e again$ ea h ti#e he or his neighbo"r hit a bird the dog (o"ld (al! o,er the (ater and bring the bird in* The #an said nothing* Neither did his neighbo"r* Finally$ "nable to ontain hi#self any longer$ he bl"rted o"t$ >id yo" noti e anything strange abo"t that dog/% The neighbo"r r"bbed his hin 'ensi,ely* Yes$% he finally said* 5o#e to thin! of it$ 1 didH The son of a g"n ant s(i#H% 1t isnt as if life is not f"ll of #ira les* 1ts #ore than that3 it is #ira "lo"s$ and anyone (ho sto's ta!ing it for granted (ill see it at on e* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ Thats a le,er dog yo" ha,e there$% said a #an (hen he sa( his friend 'laying ards (ith his dog* Not as le,er as he loo!s$% (as the re'ly* E,ery ti#e he gets a good hand he (ags his tail*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ Grand'a and grand#a had E"arrelled and grand#a (as so angry she (o"ld not s'ea! to her h"sband* The follo(ing day grand'a had forgotten all abo"t the E"arrel$ b"t grand#a ontin"ed to ignore hi# and still (o"ldnt s'ea!* Nothing grand'a did see#ed to s" eed in '"lling her o"t of her s"llen silen e* Finally he started r"##aging in "'boards and dra(ers* After this had gone on for

a fe( #in"tes$ grand#a o"ld stand it no longer* -hat on earth are yo" loo!ing for/% she de#anded angrily* Praised be God$ 1,e fo"nd it$% said grand'a (ith a sly s#ile* Yo"r ,oi eH% 1f it is God yo" are loo!ing for$ loo! so#e(here else* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ -hen the de,il sa( a see!er enter the ho"se of a Master he deter#ined to do e,erything in his 'o(er to t"rn hi# ba ! fro# his E"est for Tr"th* &o he s"b+e ted the 'oor #an to e,ery 'ossible te#'tation3 (ealth$ l"st$ fa#e$ 'o(er$ 'restige* A"t the see!er (as far too e@'erien ed in s'irit"al #atters and (as able to fight off the te#'tations E"ite easily$ so great (as his longing for s'irit"ality* -hen he got into the Masters 'resen e$ he (as so#e(hat ta!en aba ! to see the Master sitting on an "'holstered hair and the dis i'les at his feet* This #an ertainly la !s the 'rin i'al ,irt"e of the saints$ h"#ility$% he tho"ght to hi#self* He then obser,ed other things abo"t the Master that he did not li!e2 for one thing$ the Master too! little noti e of hi#* 71 s"''ose that is be a"se 1 do not fa(n on hi# as the others do$% he said to hi#self=* Also the !ind of lothes the Master (ore and the so#e(hat on eited (ay he s'o!e* All of this led hi# to the on l"sion that he had o#e to the (rong 'la e and #"st ontin"e his E"est else(here* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ As he (al!ed o"t of the roo#$ the Master$ (ho had seen the de,il seated in a orner of the roo#* said* Yo" need not ha,e (orried Te#'ter* He (as yo"rs fro# the ,ery first$ yo" !no(*% &" h is the fate of those (ho$ in their sear h for God$ are (illing to shed e,erything e@ e't their notions of (hat God really is* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ Peo'le (o"ld ne,er sin if they (ere a(are that ea h ti#e they sin it is the#sel,es they are da#aging* Most 'eo'le are in too #" h of tor'or$ alas$ to ha,e the slightest a(areness of (hat they are doing to the#sel,es* A dr"n!ard (as (al!ing do(n a street (ith blisters in both of his ears* A friend as!ed hi# (hat had ha''ened to a"se the blisters* My (ife left her hot iron on$ so (hen the 'hone rang 1 'i !ed the iron "' by #ista!e*% Yes$ b"t (hat abo"t the other ear/% The da#ned fool alled ba !H% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A fa#o"s 0iennese s"rgeon told his st"dents that a s"rgeon needed t(o gifts3 freedo# fro# na"sea and the 'o(er of obser,ation* He then di''ed a finger into so#e na"seating fl"id and li !ed it$ reE"esting ea h of the st"dents to do the sa#e* They steeled the#sel,es to it and #anaged it (itho"t flin hing* -ith a s#ile$ the s"rgeon then said$ Gentle#en$ 1 ongrat"late yo" on ha,ing 'assed the first test* A"t not$ "nfort"nately$ the se ond$ for not one of yo" noti ed that the finger 1 li !ed (as not the one 1 di''ed into the fl"id*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ

The 'riest of a fashionable 'arish had his "shers greet the 'eo'le after &"nday ser,i e* His (ife 'ers"aded hi# to ta!e on this tas! hi#self* -o"ldnt it be a(f"l 1f$ after so#e years$ yo" (ere not to !no( the #e#bers of yo"r o(n 'arish/% she said* &o the follo(ing &"nday the 'riest too! "' his 'ost at the h"r h door after ser,i e* The first one o"t of h"r h (as a (o#an in 'lain lothes$ e,idently a ne( o#er to the 'arish* Ho( do yo" do/ 1 a# ,ery glad to ha,e yo" here (ith "s$% he said$ offering her his hand* Than! yo"$% said the (o#an$ so#e(hat ta!en aba !* 1 ho'e (e (ill see yo" often at o"r ser,i es* -e are al(ays glad to see ne( fa es$ yo" !no(*% Yes$ sir*% >o yo" li,e in this 'arish/% The (o#an see#ed at a loss (hat to say* 1f yo" gi,e #e yo"r address$ #y (ife and 1 (ill all on yo" so#e e,ening*% Yo" (o"ldnt ha,e to go far$ sir* 1# yo"r oo!% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A tra#' stood in the offi e of a (ealthy #an as!ing for al#s* The #an rang for his se retary and said$ >o yo" see this 'oor$ "nfort"nate #an here/ Obser,e ho( his toes sti ! o"t of his shoes$ ho( frayed his tro"sers are$ ho( tattered his oat* 1 a# s"re the #an hasnt had a sha,e$ a sho(er or a de ent #eal in days* 1t brea!s #y heart to see 'eo'le in this (ret hed ondition)so$ GET H1M OUT OF MY &1GHT AT ON5EH% A #an (ith only st"#'s for ar#s and legs (as begging by the roadside* 1 (as so ons ien e stri !en the first ti#e 1 sa( hi# that 1 ga,e hi# an al#s* The se ond ti#e 1 ga,e hi# less* The third ti#e 1 old bloodedly handed hi# o,er to the 'oli e for begging in a '"bli 'la e and #a!ing a n"isan e of hi#self* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ The G"r" #editating in his Hi#alayan a,e o'ened his eyes to dis o,er an "ne@'e ted ,isitor sitting there before hi#)the abbot of a (ell)!no(n #onastery* -hat is it yo" see!/% as!ed the G"r"* The abbot re o"nted a tale of (oe* At one ti#e his #onastery had been fa#o"s thro"gho"t the (estern (orld* 1ts ells (ere filled (ith yo"ng as'irants and its h"r h reso"nded to the hant of its #on!s* A"t hard ti#es had o#e on the #onastery* Peo'le no longer flo !ed there to no"rish their s'irit$ the strea# of yo"ng as'irants had dried "'$ the h"r h (as silent* There (as only a handf"l of #on!s left and these (ent abo"t their d"ties (ith hea,y hearts* No( this is (hat the abbot (anted to !no(3 1s it be a"se of so#e sin of o"rs that the #onastery has been red" ed to this state/% Yes$% said the G"r"$ a sin of ignoran e*% And (hat sin #ight that be/% One of yo"r n"#bers is the Messiah in disg"ise and yo" are ignorant of this*% Ha,ing said that the G"r" losed his eyes and ret"rned to his #editation* Thro"gho"t the ard"o"s +o"rney ba ! to his #onastery the abbots heart beat fast at the tho"ght that the Messiah)b"t the Messiah hi#self)had ret"rned to earth and (as right there in the #onastery* Ho( is it he had failed to re ogni6e hi#/ And (ho o"ld it be/ Arother 5oo!/ Arother &a ristan/ Arother Treas"rer/ Arother Prior/ No$ not he2 he had too #any defe ts alas* A"t then the G"r" had said he (as in disg"ise* 5o"ld those defe ts be one of his disg"ises/ 5o#e to thin! of it$ e,eryone in the #onastery had defe ts* And one of the# had to be the MessiahH Aa ! in the #onastery he asse#bled the #on!s and told the# (hat he had dis o,ered* They loo!ed at one another in disbelief* The Messiah/ Here/ 1n redibleH A"t he (as

s"''osed to be here in disg"ise* &o$ #aybe* -hat if it (ere so)and)so/ Or the other one o,er there/ or**** One thing (as ertain3 1f the Messiah (as there in disg"ise it (as not li!ely that they (o"ld re ogni6e hi#* &o they too! to treating e,eryone (ith res'e t and onsideration* Yo" ne,er !no($% they said to the#sel,es (hen they dealt (ith one another$ #aybe this is the one*% The res"lt of this (as that the at#os'here in the #onastery be a#e ,ibrant (ith +oy* &oon do6ens of as'irants (ere see!ing ad#ission to the Order)and on e again the 5h"r h re)e hoed (ith the holy and +oyf"l hant of #on!s (ho (ere aglo( (ith the s'irit of ?o,e* Of (hat "se is it to ha,e eyes if the heart is blind/ JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A 'risoner li,ed in solitary onfine#ent for years* He sa( and s'o!e to no one and his #eals (ere ser,ed thro"gh an o'ening in the (all* One day an ant a#e into his ell* The #an onte#'lated it in fas ination as it ra(led aro"nd the roo#* He held it in the 'al# of his hand the better to obser,e it$ ga,e it a grain or t(o$ and !e't it "nder his tin "' at night* One day it s"ddenly str" ! hi# that it had ta!en hi# ten long years of solitary onfine#ent to o'en his eyes to the lo,eliness of an ant* -hen a friend ,isited the &'anish 'ainter El Gre o at his ho#e on a lo,ely s'ring afternoon he fo"nd hi# sitting in his roo#$ the "rtains tightly dra(n* 5o#e o"t into the s"nshine$% said the friend* Not no($% El Gre o re'lied* 1t (o"ld dist"rb the light that is shining (ithin #e*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ The old rabbi had be o#e blind and o"ld neither read nor loo! at the fa es of those (ho a#e to ,isit hi#* A faith healer said to hi#$ Entr"st yo"rself to #y are and 1 (ill heal yo"r blindness*% There (ill be no need for that$% re'lied the rabbi* 1 an see e,erything that 1 need to*% Not e,eryone (hose eyes are dosed is aslee'* And not e,eryone (ith o'en eyes an see* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ RE?1G1ON -eary tra,eller3 -hy in the na#e of hea,en did they b"ild the rail(ay station three !ilo#etres a(ay fro# the ,illage/% Hel'f"l 'orter3 They #"st ha,e tho"ght it (o"ld be a good idea to ha,e it near the trains$ sir*% An "ltra)#odern station three !ilo#etres a(ay fro# the tra ! is as #" h of an abs"rdity as a #" h freE"ented te#'le three enti#etres a(ay fro# life* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ The Ia#a!"ra A"ddha (as lodged in a te#'le "ntil one day a #ighty stor# bro"ght the te#'le do(n* Then for #any years the #assi,e stat"e stood e@'osed to s"n and rain and (ind and the hanges of the (eather* -hen a 'riest began to raise f"nds to reb"ild the te#'le$ the stat"e a''eared to hi# in a drea# and said$ That te#'le (as a 'rison$ not a ho#e* ?ea,e #e e@'osed to the ra,ages of life* Thats (here 1 belong*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ

>o, Aer (as an "n o##on #an* -hen 'eo'le a#e into his 'resen e they tre#bled* He (as a Tal#"di s holar of re'"te$ infle@ible$ "n o#'ressing in his do trine* And he ne,er la"ghed* He belie,ed fir#ly in self)infli ted 'ain and (as !no(n to fast for days on end* >o, Aers a"sterities finally got the better of hi#* He fell serio"sly ill and there (as nothing the do tors o"ld do to "re hi#* As a final resort so#eone #ade a s"ggestion3 -hy not see! the hel' of the Aaal &he# To,/% >o, Aer agreed e,en tho"gh at first he resisted the idea be a"se he strongly disa''ro,ed of Aaal &he# (ho# he onsidered to be so#ething of a hereti * Also (hile >o, Aer belie,ed that life (as only #ade #eaningf"l by s"ffering and trib"lation$ Aaal &he# so"ght to alle,iate 'ain and o'enly 'rea hed that it (as the s'irit of re+oi ing that ga,e #eaning to life* 1t (as 'ast #idnight (hen Aaal &he# ans(ered the s"##ons and dro,e "' dressed in a oat of (ool and a a' of the finest f"r* He (al!ed into the si ! #ans roo# and handed hi# the Aoo! of &'lendo"r (hi h >o, Aer o'ened and began to read alo"d* He had hardly read for a #in"te (hen$ so the story goes$ Aaal &he# interr"'ted* &o#ething is #issing$% he said* &o#ething is la !ing to yo"r faith*% And (hat is that/% the si ! #an as!ed* &o"l$% said the Aaal &hern To,* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ On a old (inter night a (andering as eti as!ed for shelter in a te#'le* The 'oor #an stood shi,ering there in the falling sno( so the te#'le 'riest$ rel" tant tho"gh he (as to let the #an in$ said* 0ery (ell$ yo" an stay b"t only for the night* This is a te#'le$ not a hos'i e* 1n the #orning yo" (ill ha,e to go*% At dead of night the 'riest heard a strange ra !ling so"nd* He r"shed to the te#'le and sa( an in redible sight* There (as the stranger (ar#ing hi#self at a fire he had lit in the te#'le* A (ooden A"ddha (as #issing* The 'riest as!ed$ -here is the stat"e/% The (anderer 'ointed to the fire$ then said* 1 tho"ght this old (o"ld !ill #e*% The 'riest sho"ted$ Are yo" o"t of yo"r #ind/ >o yo" !no( (hat yo" ha,e done/ That (as a A"ddha stat"e* Yo" ha,e b"rnt the A"ddhaH% The fire (as slo(ly dying o"t* The as eti ga6ed into it and began to 'o!e it (ith his sti !* -hat are yo" doing no(/% the 'riest yelled* 1 a# sear hing for the bones of the A"ddha (ho# yo" say 1 b"rnt*% The 'riest later re'orted the in ident to a Men Master (ho said$ Yo" #"st be a bad 'riest be a"se yo" ,al"ed a dead A"ddha o,er a li,e #an* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ Tets"gen$ a st"dent of Men$ resol,ed on a #ighty "nderta!ing3 the 'rinting of se,en tho"sand o'ies of the s"tras (hi h till then (ere a,ailable only in 5hinese* He tra,elled the length and breath of 4a'an to olle t f"nds for this 'ro+e t* &o#e (ealthy 'eo'le offered hi# as #" h as a h"ndred 'ie es of gold b"t #ostly he re ei,ed s#all oins fro# 'easants* Tets"gen e@'ressed eE"al gratit"de to ea h donor regardless of the s"# of #oney gi,en* After ten long years of tra,el he finally olle ted the f"nds ne essary for the tas!* 4"st then the ri,er U+i o,erflo(ed and tho"sands (ere left (itho"t food and shelter* Tets"gen s'ent all the #oney he had olle ted for his herished 'ro+e t on these 'oor 'eo'le* Then he began the (or! of raising f"nds again* Again it (as se,eral years before he got the #oney he needed* Then an e'ide#i s'read all o,er the o"ntry$ so Tets"gen ga,e a(ay all he had olle ted to hel' the s"ffering* On e again he set o"t on his tra,el and$ t(enty years later$ his drea# of ha,ing the s ri't"res in the 4a'anese lang"age finally a#e tr"e* The 'rinting blo ! that 'rod" ed this first edition of the s"tras is on dis'lay at the Oba!" Monastery in Iyoto* The 4a'anese tell their hildren that Tets"gen got o"t three editions of the s"tras in all2 and that the first t(o are in,isible and

far s"'erior to the third* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ T(o brothers$ one a ba helor$ the other #arried$ o(ned a far# (hose fertile soil yielded an ab"ndan e of grain* Half the grain (ent to one brother and half to the other* All (ent (ell at first* Then$ e,ery no( and then$ the #arried #an began to (a!e (ith a start fro# his slee' at night and thin!3 This isnt fair* My brother isnt #arried and he gets half the 'rod" e of the far#* Here 1 a# (ith a (ife and fi,e !ids$ so 1 ha,e all the se "rity 1 need for #y old age* A"t (ho (ill are for #y 'oor brother (hen he gets old/ He needs to sa,e #" h #ore for the f"t"re than he does at 'resent$ so his need is ob,io"sly greater than #ine*% -ith that he (o"ld get o"t of bed$ steal o,er to his brothers 'la e and 'o"r a sa ! f"ll of grain into his brothers granary* The ba helor too began to get these nightly atta !s* E,ery on e in a (hile he (o"ld (a!e fro# his slee' and say to hi#self3 This si#'ly isnt fair* My brother has a (ife and fi,e !ids and he gets half the 'rod" e of the land* No( 1 ha,e no one e@ e't #yself to s"''ort* &o is it +"st that #y 'oor brother$ (hose need is ob,io"sly greater than #ine$ sho"ld re ei,e e@a tly as #" h as 1 do/% Then he (o"ld get o"t of bed and 'o"r a sa ! f"ll of grain into his brothers granary* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ One day they got o"t of bed at the sa#e ti#e and ran into ea h other$ ea h (ith a sa ! of grain on his ba !H Many years later$ after their death$ the story lea!ed o"t* &o (hen the to(nsfol! (anted to b"ild a te#'le they hose the s'ot at (hi h the t(o brothers #et for they o"ld not thin! of any 'la e in the to(n that (as holier than that one* The i#'ortant religio"s distin tion is not bet(een those (ho (orshi' and those (ho do not (orshi' b"t bet(een those (ho lo,e and those (ho dont* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A (ealthy far#er b"rst into his ho#e one day and ried o"t in an ang"ished ,oi e$ Rebe a$ there is a terrible story in to(n)the Messiah is hereH% -hats so terrible in that/% as!ed his (ife* 1 thin! its great* -hat are yo" so "'set abo"t/% -hat a# 1 so "'set abo"t/% the #an e@ lai#ed* After all these years of s(eat and toil (e ha,e finally fo"nd 'ros'erity* -e ha,e a tho"sand head of attle2 o"r barns are f"ll of grain and o"r trees laden (ith fr"it* No( (e (ill ha,e to gi,e it all a(ay and follo( hi#*% 5al# do(n$% said his (ife onsolingly* The ?ord o"r God is good* He !no(s ho( #" h (e 4e(s ha,e al(ays had to s"ffer* -e had a Pharaoh$ a Ha#an$ a Hitler)al(ays so#ebody* A"t o"r dear God fo"nd a (ay to deal (ith the# all$ didnt He/ 4"st ha,e faith$ #y dear h"sband* He (ill find a (ay to deal (ith the Messiah too*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ Goldstein$ aged ninety)t(o$ had li,ed thro"gh 'ogro#s in Poland$ on entration a#'s in Ger#any and do6ens of other 'erse "tions against the 4e(s* Oh$ ?ordH% he said$ 1snt it tr"e that (e are yo"r hosen 'eo'le/% A hea,enly ,oi e re'lied* Yes$ Goldstein$ the 4e(s are #y hosen 'eo'le*% -ell$ then$ isnt it ti#e yo" hose so#ebody else/% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ An atheist fell off a liff* As he t"#bled do(n(ard he a"ght hold of the bran h of a s#all tree* There he h"ng bet(een hea,en abo,e and the ro !s a tho"sand feet belo($ !no(ing he (asnt going to be able to hold on #" h longer* Then an idea a#e to hi#* GodH% he sho"ted (ith all his #ight* &ilen eH No one res'onded* GodH% he sho"ted again* 1f yo" e@ist$ sa,e #e and 1 'ro#ise 1 shall belie,e in

yo" and tea h others to belie,e*% &ilen e againH Then he al#ost let go of the bran h in sho ! as he heard a #ighty 0oi e boo#ing a ross the anyon* Thats (hat they all say (hen they are in tro"ble*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ No$ God$ noH% he sho"ted o"t$ #ore ho'ef"l no(* 1 a# not li!e the others* -hy$ 1 ha,e already beg"n to belie,e$ dont yo" see$ ha,ing heard yo"r 0oi e for #yself* No( all yo" ha,e to do is sa,e #e and 1 shall 'ro lai# yo"r na#e to the ends of the earth*% 0ery (ell$% said the 0oi e* 1 shall sa,e yo"* ?et go of that bran h*% ?et go of the bran h/% yelled the distra"ght #an* >o yo" thin! 1# ra6y/% 1t is said that (hen Moses thre( his (and into the Red &ea the e@'e ted #ira le did not ta!e 'la e$ it (as only (hen the first #an thre( hi#self into the sea that the (a,es re eded and the (ater di,ided itself to offer a dry 'assage to the 4e(s* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ M"lla Nasr"ddins ho"se (as on fire$ so he ran "' to his roof for safety* There he (as$ 're ario"sly 'er hed on the roof$ (hen his friends gathered in the street belo( holding a stret hed o"t blan!et to hi# and sho"ting$ 4"#'$ M"llah$ +"#'H% Oh no$ 1 (ont$% said the M"llah* 1 !no( yo" fello(s* 1f 1 +"#'$ yo"ll '"ll the blan!et a(ay +"st to #a!e a fool of #eH% >ont be silly* M"llah* This isnt a +o!e* This is serio"s* 4"#'H% No$% said Nasr"ddin* 1 dont tr"st any of yo"* ?ay that blan!et on the gro"nd and 1ll +"#'*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ The old #iser (as o,erheard at his 'rayers3 1f the Al#ighty$ #ay His holy na#e be blessed fore,er$ (o"ld gi,e #e a h"ndred tho"sand dollars$ 1 (o"ld gi,e ten tho"sand to the 'oor* 1 'ro#ise 1 (o"ld* And if the Al#ighty$ #ay He be glorified fore,er$ (ere not to tr"st #e$ let Hi# ded" t the ten tho"sand in ad,an e and +"st send #e the balan e*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ Pilot to 'assengers in #id)flight3 1 regret to infor# yo" (e are in terrible tro"ble* Only God an sa,e "s no(*% A 'assenger t"rned to a 'riest to as! (hat the 'ilot had said and got this re'ly3 He says theres no ho'eH% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A &"fi saint$ on 'ilgri#age to Me a$ (as delighted to see that there (ere barely any 'ilgri#s at the holy shrine (hen he got there$ so he (as able to 'erfor# his de,otions at leis"re* Ha,ing o#'leted the 'res ribed religio"s 'ra ti es$ he !nelt do(n and to" hed his fore)head to the gro"nd and said$ AllahH 1 ha,e only one desire in life* Gi,e #e the gra e of ne,er offending yo" again*% -hen the All)Mer if"l heard this he la"ghed alo"d and said$ Thats (hat they all as! for* A"t if 1 granted e,eryone this gra e$ tell #e$ (ho# (o"ld 1 forgi,e/% -hen the sinner (as as!ed abo"t the fearless (ay he (al!ed into the te#'le$ he re'lied3 There is no single 'erson that s!y does not o,er2 there is no single 'erson that earth does not s"stain ) and God$ is He not earth and s!y to e,eryone/% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A 'riest ordered his dea on to asse#ble ten #en to hant 'rayers for the re o,ery of a si ! #an* -hen they had all o#e in$ so#eone (his'ered into the ear of the 'riest$ There are so#e notorio"s thie,es a#ong those #en*%

All the better$% said the 'riest* -hen the Gates of Mer y are sh"t$ these are the e@'erts (ho (ill o'en the#*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A tra,eller (as (al!ing along the road one day (hen a #an on horseba ! r"shed by* There (as an e,il loo! in his eyes and blood on his hands* Min"tes later a ro(d of riders dre( "' and (anted to !no( if the tra,eller had seen so#eone (ith blood on his hands go by* They (ere in hot '"rs"it of hi#* -ho is he/% the tra,eller as!ed* An e,il)doer$% said the leader of the ro(d* And yo" '"rs"e hi# in order to bring hi# to +"sti e/ No$% said the leader$ (e '"rs"e hi# in order to sho( hi# the (ay*% Re on iliation alone (ill sa,e the (orld$ not +"sti e (hi h is generally another (ord for re,enge* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ The 'oet A(hadi of Her#an (as sitting on his 'or h one night$ bent o,er a ,essel* The &"fi &ha#s)e)Tabri6i ha''ened to 'ass by* -hat are yo" doing/% he as!ed the 'oet* 5onte#'lating the #oon in a bo(l of (ater$% (as the re'ly* Unless yo" ha,e bro!en yo"r ne !$ (hy dont yo" loo! dire tly at the #oon in the s!y/% -ords are inadeE"ate refle tions of reality* A #an tho"ght he !ne( (hat the Ta+ Mahal (as be a"se he (as sho(n a 'ie e of #arble and told that the Ta+ (as +"st a olle tion of 'ie es li!e that* Another one (as on,in ed that$ be a"se he had seen Niagara (ater in a b" !et$ he !ne( (hat the Falls (ere li!e* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ -hat a 'retty baby yo" ha,e thereH% This is nothingH Yo" sho"ld see his 'hotogra'hsH% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ -ords 7and on e'ts= are indi ators$ not refle tions$ of reality* A"t$ as the #ysti s of the East de lare* -hen the &age 'oints to the #oon all that the idiot sees is the fingerH% A dr"n! (as staggering a ross a bridge one night (hen he ran into a friend* The t(o of the# leaned o,er the bridge and began hatting for a (hile* -hats that do(n there/% as!ed the dr"n! s"ddenly* Thats the #oon$% said his friend* The dr"n! loo!ed again$ shoo! his head in disbelief and said$ O!ay$ o!ay* A"t ho( the hell did 1 get (ay "' here*% -e al#ost ne,er see reality* -hat (e see is a refle tion of it in the for# of (ords and on e'ts (hi h (e then 'ro eed to ta!e for reality* The (orld (e li,e in is #ostly a #ental onstr" t* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ Peo'le feed on (ords$ H"e by (ords$ (o"ld fall a'art (itho"t the#* A beggar t"gged at the slee,es of a 'asser)by and begged for #oney to b"y a "' of offee* This (as his tale3 There (as a ti#e$ sir$ (hen 1 (as a (ealthy b"siness#an +"st li!e yo"* 1 (or!ed hard all day long* On #y des! (as the #otto3 TH1NI 5REAT10E?Y$ A5T >E51&10E?Y$ ?10E >ANGEROU&?Y* Thats the #otto 1 li,ed by)

and #oney +"st !e't 'o"ring in* And then*** and then*** 7the beggars fra#e shoo! (ith sobs=%*** the leaning (o#an thre( #y #otto o"t (ith the trash*% -hen yo" s(ee' o"t the te#'le o"rtyard dont sto' to read the old ne(s'a'ers* -hen yo" are leaning o"t yo"r heart doesnt sto' to flirt (ith (ords* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ There (as on e a #an (ho (as ,ery st"'id* Ea h #orning (hen he (o!e he had s" h a hard ti#e finding his lothes that he al#ost feared to go to bed (hen he tho"ght of the tro"ble he (o"ld ha,e on (al!ing* One night he got hi#self a 'en il and 'ad and +otted do(n the e@a t na#e and lo ation of ea h ite# of lothing as he "ndressed* Ne@t #orning he '"lled o"t his 'ad and read$ 'ants%)there they (ere* He ste''ed into the#* &hirt%)there it (as* He '"lled it o,er his head* Hat%)there it (as* He sla''ed it on his head* He (as ,ery 'leased abo"t all this till a horrible tho"ght str" ! hi#* And 1) (here a# 1/% He had forgotten to +ot that do(n* &o he sear hed and sear hed b"t in ,ain* He o"ld not find hi#self* -hat abo"t those (ho say$ 1 a# reading this boo! to find o"t (ho 1 a#%/ JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ One of the #ost reno(ned sages in an ient 1ndia (as &,eta!et"* This is ho( he a#e by his (isdo#3 -hen he (as no #ore than se,en years of age he (as sent by his father to st"dy the 0edas* Ay dint of a''li ation and intelligen e the lad o"tshone all his fello( st"dents till in ti#e he (as onsidered the greatest li,ing e@'ert on the & ri't"res)and this (hen he (as barely 'ast his yo"th* On his ret"rn ho#e his father (ished to test the ability of his son* This is the E"estion he '"t hi#3 Ha,e yo" learned that by learning (hi h there is no need to learn anything else/ Ha,e yo" dis o,ered that by dis o,ering (hi h all s"ffering eases/ Ha,e yo" #astered that (hi h annot be ta"ght/% No$% said &,eta!et"* Then*% said his father$ (hat yo" ha,e learnt in all these years is (orthless$ #y son*% &o i#'ressed (as &,eta!et" by the tr"th of his fathers (ords that he set off to dis o,er thro"gh silen e the (isdo# (hi h annot be e@'ressed in (ords* -hen the 'ond dries "' and the fish are lying on the 'ar hed earth$ to #oisten the# (ith ones breath or da#' the# (ith s'ittle is no s"bstit"te for flinging the# ba ! into the 4a!e* >ont enli,en 'eo'le (ith do trines2 thro( the# ba ! into Reality* For the se ret of life is to be fo"nd in life itself)not in do trines abo"t it* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A see!er as!ed the &"fi 4alal"ddin R"#i if the Ioran (as a good boo! to read* He re'lied$ Yo" sho"ld rather as! yo"rself if yo" are 8n a state to 'rofit fro# it*% A 5hristian #ysti "sed to say of the Aible$ Ho(e,er "sef"l a #en"$ it is not good for eating* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ 5hild in geogra'hy lass3 The benefit of longit"de and latit"de is that (hen yo" are dro(ning yo" an all o"t (hat longit"de and latit"de yo" are in and they (ill find yo"*% Ae a"se there is a (ord for (isdo# 'eo'le i#agine they !no( (hat it is* A"t no one be o#es an astrono#er fro# "nderstanding the #eaning of the (ord astrono#y*% 4"st be a"se$ by blo(ing on the ther#o#eter* Yo" got it to register higher*

Yo" did not (ar# the roo#* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ E,ery day in the orner of a library in 4a'an an old #on! (as to be fo"nd sitting in 'ea ef"l #editation* 1 ne,er see yo" read the s"tras*% said the librarian* 1 ne,er learnt to read*% re'lied the #on!* Thats a disgra e* A #on! li!e yo" o"ght to be able to read* &hall 1 tea h yo"/% Yes* Tell #e$% said the #on! 'ointing to hi#self$ (hat is the #eaning of this hara ter/% -hy light a tor h (hen the s"n shines in the hea,ens/ -hy (ater the gro"nd (hen the rain 'o"rs do(n in torrents/ JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A G"r" 'ro#ised a s holar a re,elation of greater onseE"en e than anything ontained in the s ri't"res* -hen the s holar eagerly as!ed for it$ the G"r" said$ Go o"t into the rain and raise yo"r head and ar#s hea,en(ard* That (ill bring yo" the first re,elation*% The ne@t day the s holar a#e to re'ort3 1 follo(ed yo"r ad,i e and (ater flo(ed do(n #y ne !)And 1 felt li!e a 'erfe t fool*% -ell*% said the G"r"$ for the first day thats E"ite a re,elation$ isnt it/% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ The 'oet Iabir says3 -hat good is it if the s holar 'ores o,er (ords and 'oints of this and that b"t his hest is not soa!ed dar! (ith lo,e/ -hat good is it if the as eti lothes hi#self in saffron robes b"t is olo"rless (ithin/ -hat good is it if yo" s r"b yo"r ethi al beha,io"r till it shines$ b"t there is no #"si inside/ >is i'le3 -hats the differen e bet(een !no(ledge and enlighten#ent/ Master3 -hen yo" ha,e !no(ledge yo" "se a tor h to sho( the (ay* -hen yo" are enlightened yo" be o#e a tor h* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A 'ara h"tist +"#'ed o"t of a 'lane on a (indy day and (as blo(n a h"ndred #iles off o"rse by a 'o(erf"l gale* Then his 'ara h"te a"ght on a tree$ so he h"ng there for ho"rs in the #iddle of no(here$ sho"ting for hel'* Finally so#eone 'assed by* Ho( did yo" get "' there on that tree/% he as!ed* The 'ara h"tist told hi#* Then as!ed$ -here a# 1/% On a tree$% (as the re'ly* HeyH Yo" #"st be a leri H% The stranger (as st"nned* Yes 1 a#* Ho( did yo" !no(/% Ae a"se (hat yo" said is ertainly tr"e and +"st as ertainly "seless*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A gro"' (as en+oying the #"si at a 5hinese resta"rant* &"ddenly a soloist str" ! "' a ,ag"ely fa#iliar t"ne2 e,eryone re ogni6ed the #elody b"t no one o"ld re#e#ber its na#e* &o they be !oned to the s'lendidly) lad (aiter and as!ed hi# to find o"t (hat the #"si ian (as 'laying* The (aiter (addled a ross the floor$ then ret"rned (ith a loo! of tri"#'h on his fa e and de lared in a lo"d (his'er$ 0iolinH% The s holars ontrib"tion to s'irit"alityH JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ The 'lay (as in 'rogress at the ,illage theatre (hen the "rtain (as s"ddenly

lo(ered and the #anager ste''ed before the a"dien e* ?adies and gentle#en$% he said$ it distresses #e dee'ly to ha,e to anno"n e that the leading a tor$ o"r great and belo,ed #ayor hi#self$ has +"st had a fatal heart atta ! in his dressing roo#* -e are therefore for ed to sto' the 'lay*% On hearing this anno"n e#ent a h"ge #iddle)aged (o#an in the front ro( stood "' and sho"ted agitatedly3 D"i !H Gi,e hi# hi !en brothH% Mada#$% said the #anager$ the heart atta ! (as fatal* The #an is deadH% &o gi,e it to hi# at on eH% The #anager (as des'erate* Mada#$% he 'leaded$ -hat good (ill hi !en broth do to a dead #an/% -hat har# (ill it do/% she sho"ted* 5hi !en broth does for the dead (hat religion does for the "n ons io"s (hose n"#ber$ alas$ is legion* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A Master (as s"r'rised to hear sho"ting and alter ation going on in his o"rtyard* -hen he (as told that one of his dis i'les (as at the entre of it$ he had the #an sent for and as!ed (hat the a"se of the din (as* There is a delegation of s holars that has o#e to ,isit yo"* 1 told the# yo" do not (aste yo"r ti#e on #en (hose heads are st"ffed (ith boo!s and tho"ghts b"t de,oid of (isdo#* These are the 'eo'le (ho$ in their on eit$ reate dog#as and di,isions a#ong 'eo'le e,ery(here*% The Master s#iled* Ho( tr"e$ ho( tr"e$% he #"r#"red* A"t tell #e$ is not yo"r on eit in lai#ing to be different fro# the s holars the a"se of this 'resent onfli t and di,ision/% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A Hind" &age (as ha,ing the ?ife of 4es"s read to hi#* -hen he learned ho( 4es"s (as re+e ted by his 'eo'le in Na6areth$ he e@ lai#ed$ A rabbi (hose ongregation does not (ant to dri,e hi# o"t of to(n isnt a rabbi*% And (hen he heard ho( it (as the 'riests (ho '"t 4es"s to death$ he said (ith a sigh$ 1t is hard for &atan to #islead the (hole (orld$ so he a''oints 'ro#inent e lesiasti s in different 'arts of the globe*% The la#ent of a bisho'3 -here,er 4es"s (ent there (as a re,ol"tion2 (here,er 1 go 'eo'le ser,e teaH% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ -hen a #illion 'eo'le follo( yo" as! yo"rself (here yo" ha,e gone (rong* A 4e(ish a"thor e@'lains that 4e(s are not 'roselyti6ers* Rabbis are reE"ired to #a!e three se'arate efforts to dis o"rage 'ros'e ti,e on,ertsH &'irit"ality is for the elite* 1t (ill not o#'ro#ise to be o#e a e'table so it (ill not onsort (ith the #asses (ho (ant syr"'$ not #edi ine* On e$ (hen large ro(ds (ere follo(ing 4es"s$ this is (hat he said to the#2 -hi h of yo" (o"ld thin! of b"ilding a to(er (itho"t first sitting do(n and esti#ating the ost to see if he an afford to finish it/ Or (hat !ing (ill #ar h to battle against another !ing (itho"t first sitting do(n to onsider if (ith ten tho"sand soldiers he (ill be able to do battle (ith an ene#y (ho o#es to #eet hi# (ith t(enty tho"sand/ 1f he annot$ then$ long before the ene#y is near he sends e#issaries and as!s for ter#s* &o also none of yo" an be a dis i'le of #ine (itho"t the readiness to reno"n e all 'ossessions*% Peo'le do not (ant tr"th* They (ant reass"ran e* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ &aid a 'rea her to a friend$ -e ha,e +"st had the greatest re,i,al o"r h"r h has e@'erien ed in #any years*% Ho( #any did yo" add to yo"r h"r h #e#bershi'/ None* -e lost fi,e h"ndred*% 4es"s (o"ld ha,e a''la"dedH E@'erien e sho(s$ alas$ that o"r religio"s on,i tions bear as #" h relation to

o"r 'ersonal holiness as a #arts dinner +a !et to his digestion* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ An an ient 'hiloso'her$ dead for #any ent"ries$ (as told that his tea hings (ere being #isre'resented by his re'resentati,es* Aeing a o#'assionate and tr"th) lo,ing indi,id"al$ he #anaged$ after #" h effort$ to get the gra e to o#e ba ! to earth for a fe( days* it too! hi# se,eral days to on,in e his s" essors of his identity* On e that (as established$ they 'ro#'tly lost all interest in (hat he had to say and begged hi# to dis lose to the# the se ret for o#ing ba ! to life fro# the gra,e* 1t (as only after onsiderable e@ertion that he finally on,in ed the# that there (as no (ay he o"ld i#'art this se ret to the# and that it (as infinitely #ore i#) 'ortant for the good of h"#anity that they restore his tea hing to its original '"rity* A f"tile tas!H -hat they said to hi# (as$ >ont yo" see that (hat is i#'ortant is not (hat yo" ta"ght b"t o"r inter'retation of (hat yo" ta"ght/ After all$ yo" are only a bird of 'assage (hereas (e reside here 'er#anently*% -hen A"ddha dies$ the s hools are born* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ All the 'hiloso'hers$ di,ines and do tors of the la( (ere asse#bled in o"rt for the trial of M"llah Nasr"ddin* The a "sation (as a serio"s one2 he had been going fro# to(n to to(n saying$ Yo"r so) alled religio"s leaders are ignorant and onf"sed*% &o he (as harged (ith heresy$ the 'enalty for (hi h (as death* Yo" #ay s'ea! first$% said the 5ali'h* The M"llah (as 'erfe tly self)'ossessed* Ha,e 'a'er and 'ens bro"ght in$% he said$ and gi,e the# to the ten (isest #en in this a"g"st asse#bly*% To Nasr"ddins a#"se#ent$ a great sE"abble bro!e o"t a#ong the holy #en as to (ho (as the (isest a#ong the#* -hen the ontention died do(n and ea h of the hosen ten (as eE"i''ed (ith 'a'er and 'en$ the M"llah said$ Ha,e ea h of the# (rite do(n the ans(er to the follo(ing E"estion3 -HAT 1& MATTER MA>E OF/% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ The ans(ers (ere (ritten do(n and handed to the 5ali'h (ho read the# o"t* One said$ 1t is #ade of nothing*% Another said$ Mole "les*% Yet another$ Energy*% Others$ ?ight$% 1 do not !no($% Meta'hysi al Aeing% and so on* &aid Nasr"ddin to the 5ali'h$ -hen they o#e to an agree#ent on (hat #atter 1s$ they (ill be fit to +"dge E"estions of the s'irit* 1s it not strange that they annot agree on so#ething that they the#sel,es are #ade of$ yet they are "nani#o"s in their ,erdi t that 1 a# a hereti /% 1t is not the di,ersity of o"r dog#as b"t o"r dog#atis# that does the da#age* Th"s$ if ea h of "s did (hat (e are fir#ly 'ers"aded is the (ill of God the res"lt (o"ld be "tter haos* 5ertainty is the "l'rit* The s'irit"al 'erson !no(s "n ertainty ) a state of #ind "n!no(n to the religio"s fanati * One night a fisher#an stole into the gro"nds of a ri h #an and ast his net into a la!e f"ll of fish* The o(ner heard hi# and set his g"ards "'on hi#* -hen he sa( the ro(d sear hing for hi# e,ery(here (ith lighted tor hes$ the fisher#an hastily s#eared his body (ith ashes and sat "nder a tree$ as is the "sto# (ith holy #en in 1ndia* The o(ner and his g"ards o"ld find no 'oa her$ tho"gh they sear hed for a long ti#e* All they fo"nd (as a holy #an o,ered (ith ashes sitting "nder a tree absorbed in #editation* The ne@t day (ord s'read e,ery(here that a great sage had designed to ta!e "'

residen e in the gro"nds of the ri h #an* Peo'le gathered (ith flo(ers and fr"its and food and e,en a lot of #oney to 'ay obeisan e to hi# for it is 'io"sly belie,ed that gifts$ (hen #ade to a holy #an$ bring Gods blessing "'on the gi,er* The fisher#an t"rned sage (as asto"nded at his good fort"ne* 1t is easier to #a!e a li,ing on the faith of these 'eo'le than by the toil of #y hands$% he said to hi#self* &o he ontin"ed to #editate and ne,er (ent ba ! to (or! again* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A !ing drea#t that he sa( a !ing in 'aradise and a 'riest in hell* He (ondered ho( this o"ld be then he heard a 0oi e say$ The !ing is in 'aradise be a"se he res'e ted 'riests* The 'riest is in hell be a"se he o#'ro#ised (ith !ings*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ -hen &ister as!ed the hildren in her lass (hat they (anted to be (hen they gre( "' little To##y said he (anted to be a 'ilot* Elsie said she (anted to be a do ) tor$ Aobby to &isters great +oy$ said he (anted to be o#e a 'riest* Then Mary stood "' and de lared she (anted to be a 'rostit"te$ -hat (as that again$ Mary/% -hen 1 gro( "'$% said Mary (ith the air of so#eone (ho !ne( e@a tly (hat she (anted$ 1 shall be o#e a 'rostit"te*% &ister (as startled beyond (ords* Mary (as i##ediately segregated fro# the rest of the hildren and ta!en to the Parish Priest* Father (as gi,en the fa ts in broad o"tline b"t he (anted to he ! the# o"t (ith the "l'rit$ Tell #e (hat ha''ened in yo"r o(n (ords$ Mary*% -ell$% said Mary$ so#e(hat ta!en aba ! by all this f"ss$ &ister as!ed #e (hat 1 (anted to be o#e (hen 1 gre( "' and 1 said 1 (anted to be o#e a 'rostit"te*% >id yo" say 'rostit"te/% as!ed Father$ do"ble) he !ing* Yes*% Hea,ensH -hat a reliefH -e all tho"ght yo" said yo" (ere going to be o#e a ProtestantH% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ Rabbi Abraha# had li,ed an e@e#'lary life* And (hen his ti#e arri,ed$ he left this (orld s"rro"nded by the blessings of his ongregation (ho had o#e to regard hi# as a saint and as the 'rin i'al a"se of all the blessings they had re ei,ed fro# God* 1t (as no different at the other end$ for the angels a#e for(ard to (el o#e hi# (ith sho"ts of 'raise* Thro"gho"t the festi,ities the Rabbi see#ed (ithdra(n and distressed* He !e't his head in his hands and ref"sed to be o#forted* He (as finally ta!en before the 4"dge#ent &eat (here he felt hi#self en,elo'ed by a ?o,ing Iindness that (as infinite and he heard a 0oi e of infinite tenderness say to hi#$ -hat is it that distresses yo"$ #y son/% Most Holy One$% re'lied the Rabbi$ 1 a# "n(orthy of all the hono"rs that are besto(ed on #e here* E,en tho"gh 1 (as onsidered to be an e@a#'le to the 'eo'le$ there #"st ha,e been so#ething (rong (ith #y life$ for #y only son$ in s'ite of #y e@a#'le and #y tea hing$ abandoned o"r faith and be a#e a 5hristian*% ?et that not dist"rb yo"$ #y son* 1 "nderstand e@a tly ho( yo" feel$ for 1 ha,e a son (ho did the sa#e thingH% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ 1n Aelfast$ 1reland$ a 5atholi 'riest$ a Protestant #inister and a 4e(ish rabbi (ere engaged in a heated theologi al dis "ssion* &"ddenly an Angel a''eared in their #idst and said to the#$ God sends yo" his blessings* Ma!e one (ish for Pea e and yo"r (ish (ill be f"lfilled by the Al#ighty*% The #inister said$ ?et e,ery 5atholi disa''ear fro# o"r lo,ely island* Then 'ea e (ill reign s"'re#e*% The 'riest said$ ?et there not be a single Protestant left on o"r sa red 1rish soil* That (ill bring 'ea e to this island$%

And (hat abo"t yo"$ Rabbi/% said the Angel* >o yo" ha,e no (ish of yo"r o(n/% No$% said the rabbi* 4"st attend to the (ishes of these t(o gentle#en and 1 shall be (ell 'leased*% ?ittle boy3 Are yo" a Presbyterian/% ?ittle girl3 No* -e belong to a different abo#ination*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A h"nter sent his dog after so#ething that #o,ed behind the trees* 1t hased o"t a fo@ and orralled it into a 'osition (here the h"nter o"ld shoot it* The dying fo@ said to the ho"nd$ -ere yo" ne,er told that the fo@ is brother to the dog/% 1 (as$ indeed$% said the dog* A"t thats for idealists and fools* For the 'ra ti al)#inded$ brotherhood is reated by identity of interests*% &aid the 5hristian to the A"ddhist2 -e o"ld be brothers$ really* A"t thats for idealists and fools* For the 'ra ti al)#inded$ brotherhood lies in identity of beliefs* Most 'eo'le$ alas$ ha,e eno"gh religion to hate b"t not eno"gh to lo,e* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ 1n his a"tobiogra'hy$ Mahat#a Gandhi tells ho( in his st"dent days in &o"th Afri a he be a#e dee'ly interested in the Aible$ es'e ially the &er#on on the Mo"nt* He be o#e on,in ed that 5hristianity (as the ans(er to the aste syste# that had 'lag"ed 1ndia for ent"ries$ and he serio"sly onsidered be o#ing a 5hristian* One day he (ent to a h"r h to attend Mass and get instr" tions* He (as sto''ed at the entran e and gently told that if he desired to attend Mass he (as (el o#e to do so in a h"r h reser,ed for bla !s* He left and ne,er ret"rned* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A '"bli sinner (as e@ o##"ni ated and forbidden entry to the h"r h* He too! his (oes to God* They (ont let #e in* ?ord$ be a"se 1 a# a sinner*% -hat are yo" o#'laining abo"t/% said God* They (ont let #e in eitherH% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A h"r h or synagog"e needs to raise #oney if it is to s"r,i,e* No( there (as on e a 4e(ish synagog"e (here they did not 'ass the olle tion 'late aro"nd as they do in 5hristian 5h"r hes* Their (ay of raising #oney (as to sell ti !ets for reser,ed seats on &ole#n Holy >ays for that (as (hen the ongregation (as the largest and the 'eo'le #ost genero"s* On one s" h Holy >ay a !id a#e to the synagog"e in sear h of his father b"t the "shers (o"ldnt let hi# in be a"se he did not ha,e a ti !et* ?oo!$% said the yo"ngster$ this is a ,ery i#'ortant #atter*% Thats (hat they all say$% the "sher re'lied$ "n#o,ed* The lad be a#e des'erate and began to 'lead* Please sir$ let #e in* This is a #atter of life and death* 1ll only be in a #in"te*% The "sher relented* -ell$ OI if it is so i#'ortant*% he said* A"t dont let #e at h yo" 'rayingH% Organi6ed Religion has its li#itations$ alasH JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ The 'rea her (as #ore than ordinarily eloE"ent and e,eryone$ b"t e,eryone$ (as #o,ed to tears* -ell$ not e,eryone e@a tly$ be a"se there$ in the front 'e($ sat a gentle#an loo!ing straight in front of hi#$ E"ite "naffe ted by the ser#on* At the end of the ser,i e$ so#eone said to hi#$ Yo" heard the ser#on$ didnt yo"/% Of o"rse$ 1 did$% said the stony gentle#an* 1 a# not deaf*% -hat did yo" thin! of it/% 1 tho"ght it so #o,ing 1 o"ld ha,e ried*%

And (hy$ #ay 1 as!$ did yo" not ry/% Ae a"se$% said the gentle#an$ 1 do not belong to this 'arish*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A ording to one story$ (hen God reated the (orld and glorified in its goodness$ &atan shared his ra't"re$ in his o(n (ay$ of o"rse$ for as he onte#'lated #ar,el after #ar,el$ he !e't e@ lai#ing$ Ho( good it isH ?ets organi6e itH% And ta!e all the f"n o"t of itH% Ha,e yo" e,er atte#'ted to organi6e so#ething li!e 'ea e/ The #o#ent yo" do$ Yo" ha,e 'o(er onfli ts and gro"' (ars (ithin the organi6ation* The only (ay to ha,e 'ea e is to let it gro( (ild* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A bisho' (as testing the s"itability of a gro"' of andidates for ba'tis#* Ay (hat sign (ill others !no( that yo" are 5atholi s/% he as!ed* There (as no re'ly* E,idently no one had e@'e ted this E"estion* The bisho' re'eated the E"estion* Then he said it on e again$ this ti#e #a!ing the &ign of the 5ross to gi,e the others a l"e to the right ans(er* &"ddenly one of the andidates got it$ ?o,e% he said* The bisho' (as ta!en aba !* He (as abo"t to say* -rong$% then he !ed hi#self in the ni ! of ti#e* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ &o#eone as!ed for the bisho's i#'ri#at"r for a boo! for hildren that ontained the 'arables of 4es"s$ a fe( si#'le ill"strations and a fe( gos'el senten es* Not a single (ord #ore* The i#'ri#at"r (as gi,en (ith the "sto#ary dis lai#er3 The i#'ri#at"r does not ne essarily i#'ly that the bisho' agrees (ith the o'inions e@'ressed in this boo!*% More organi6ational 'itfallsH JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ Ho( s'irit"al organi6ations gro(3 A G"r" (as so i#'ressed by the s'irit"al 'rogress of his dis i'le that$ +"dging he needed no f"rther g"idan e$ he left hi# on his o(n in a little h"t on the ban!s of a ri,er* Ea h #orning after his abl"tions the dis i'le (o"ld hang his loin) loth o"t to dry* 1t (as his only 'ossessionH One day he (as dis#ayed to find it torn to shreds by rats* &o he had to beg for another fro# the ,illagers* -hen the rats nibbled holes in this one too$ he got hi#self a !itten* He had no #ore tro"ble (ith the rats b"t no($ in addition to begging for his o(n food$ he had to beg for #il! as (ell* Too #" h tro"ble begging$% he tho"ght$ and too #" h of a b"rden on the ,illagers* 1 shall !ee' a o(*% -hen he got the o($ he had to beg for fodder* Easier to till the land aro"nd #y h"t$% he tho"ght* A"t that 'ro,ed tro"bleso#e too for it left hi# little ti#e for #editation* &o he e#'loyed labo"rers to till the land for hi#* No( o,erseeing the labo"rers be a#e a hore$ so he #arried a (ife (ho (o"ld share this tas! (ith hi#* Aefore long$ of o"rse$ he (as one of the (ealthiest #en in the ,illage* Years later his G"r" ha''ened to dro' by and (as s"r'rised to see a 'alatial #ansion (here on e a h"t had stood* He said to one of the ser,ants$ 1snt this (here a dis i'le of #ine "sed to li,e/% Aefore he got a re'ly$ the dis i'le hi#self e#erged* -hats the #eaning of all this$ #y son/% as!ed the G"r"* Yo"re not going to belie,e this$ sir$% said the #an$ b"t there (as no other (ay

1 o"ld !ee' #y loin lothH% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ On a ro !y sea oast (here shi'(re !s (ere freE"ent there (as on e a ra#sha !le little life)sa,ing station* 1t (as no #ore than a h"t and there (as only one boat$ b"t the fe( 'eo'le (ho #anned the station (ere a de,oted lot (ho !e't onstant (at h o,er the sea and$ (ith little regard for the#sel,es and their safety$ (ent fearlessly o"t in a stor# if they had any e,iden e that there had been a shi'(re ! so#e(here* Many li,es (ere th"s sa,ed and the station be a#e fa#o"s* As the fa#e of the station gre($ so did the desire of 'eo'le in the neighbo"rhood to be o#e asso iated (ith its e@ ellent (or!* They genero"sly offered of their ti#e and #oney so ne( #e#bers (ere enrolled$ ne( boats bo"ght and ne( re(s trained* The h"t too (as re'la ed by a o#fortable b"ilding (hi h o"ld adeE"ately handle the needs of those (ho had been sa,ed fro# the sea and$ of o"rse$ sin e shi'(re !s do not o "r e,ery day$ it be a#e a 'o'"lar gathering 'la e)a sort of lo al l"b* As ti#e 'assed the #e#bers be a#e so engaged in so iali6ing that they had little interest in life)sa,ing$ tho"gh they d"ly s'orted the life)sa,ing #otto on the badges they (ore* As a #atter of fa t$ (hen so#e 'eo'le (ere a t"ally res "ed fro# the sea$ it (as al(ays s" h a n"isan e be a"se they (ere dirty and si ! and soiled the ar'eting and the f"rnit"re* &oon the so ial a ti,ities of the l"b be a#e so n"#ero"s and the life)sa,ing a ti,ities so fe( that there (as a sho()do(n at a l"b #eeting (ith so#e #e#bers insisting that they ret"rn to their original '"r'ose and a ti,ity* A ,ote (as ta!en and these tro"ble#a!ers$ (ho 'ro,ed to be a s#all #inority$ (ere in,ited to lea,e the l"b and start another* -hi h is 're isely (hat they did)a little f"rther do(n the oast$ (ith s" h selflessness and daring that$ after a (hile$ their herois# #ade the# fa#o"s* -here"'on their #e#bershi' (as enlarged$ their h"t (as re onstr" ted and their idealis# s#othered* 1f yo" ha''en to ,isit that area today yo" (ill find a n"#ber of e@ l"si,e l"bs dotting the shoreline* Ea h one of the# is +"stifiably 'ro"d of its origin and its tradition* &hi'(re !s still o "r in those 'arts$ b"t nobody see#s to are #" h* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ 1n a desert o"ntry trees (ere s ar e and fr"it (as hard to o#e by* 1t (as said that God (anted to #a!e s"re there (as eno"gh for e,eryone$ so He a''eared to a 'ro'het and said$ This is #y o##and#ent to the (hole 'eo'le for no( and for f"t"re generations3 no one shall eat #ore than one fr"it a day* Re ord this in the Holy Aoo!* Anyone (ho transgresses this la( (ill be onsidered to ha,e sinned against God and against h"#anity*% The la( (as faithf"lly obser,ed for ent"ries "ntil s ientists dis o,ered a #eans for t"rning the desert into green land* The o"ntry be a#e ri h in grain and li,esto !* And the trees bent do(n (ith the (eight of "n'l" !ed fr"it* A"t the fr"it la( ontin"ed to be enfor ed by the i,il and religio"s a"thorities of the land* Anyone (ho 'ointed to the sin against h"#anity in,ol,ed in allo(ing fr"it to rot on the gro"nd (as d"bbed a blas'he#er and an ene#y of #orality* These 'eo'le$ (ho E"estioned the (isdo# of Gods Holy -ord$ (ere being g"ided by the 'ro"d s'irit of reason$ it (as said$ and la !ed the s'irit of faith and s"b#ission (hereby alone the Tr"th an be re ei,ed* 1n the h"r hes ser#ons (ere freE"ently deli,ered in (hi h those (ho bro!e the la( (ere sho(n to ha,e o#e lo a bad end* Ne,er on e (as #ention #ade of the eE"al n"#ber of those (ho a#e to a bad end e,en tho"gh they had faithf"lly !e't the la( or of the ,ast n"#ber of those (ho 'ros'ered e,en tho"gh they bro!e it* Nothing o"ld be done to hange the la( be a"se the 'ro'het (ho had lai#ed to ha,e re ei,ed it fro# God (as long sin e dead* He #ight ha,e had the o"rage and the sense to hange the la( as ir "#stan es hanged for he had ta!en Gods -ord$ not as so#ething to be re,ered$ b"t as so#ething to be "sed for the (elfare of the

'eo'le* As a res"lt$ so#e 'eo'le o'enly s offed at the la( and at God and religion* Others bro!e it se retly and al(ays (ith a sense of (rongdoing* The ,ast #a+ority adhered rigoro"sly to it and a#e to thin! of the#sel,es as holy #erely be a"se they held on to a senseless and o"tdated "sto# they (ere too frightened to +ettison* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A#ong the tr"ly religio"s the ?a( is obser,ed* A"t it is neither feared$*** -hat do yo" do for a li,ing/% as!ed a lady of a yo"ng #an at a o !tail 'arty* 1 a# a 'aratroo'er*% 1t #"st be a(f"l to be a 'ara h"te +"#'er$ said the lady* -ell$ it does ha,e its s ary #o#ents*% Tell #e abo"t yo"r #ost terrible e@'erien e* -ell$% said the 'aratroo'er$ 1 thin! it (as the ti#e (hen 1 a#e do(n on a la(n (here there (as a sign (hi h read$ IEEP OFF THE GRA&&* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ **nor re,ered*** A sergeant (as as!ing a gro"' of re r"its (hy (aln"t (as "sed for the b"tt of a rifle* Ae a"se it is harder then other (ood$% said one #an* -rong*% said the sergeant* Ae a"se it is #ore elasti *% -rong again*% Ae a"se it has a better shine*% Yo" boys ertainty ha,e a lot to learn* -aln"t is "sed for the si#'le reason that it is laid do(n in the Reg"lationsH% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ ***it is neither absol"ti6ed*** A rail(ay offi ial re'orted a #"rder on a train in the follo(ing ter#s3 The assassin entered the oa h fro# the 'latfor#$ stabbed the ,i ti# sa,agely fi,e ti#es$ ea h ti#e infli ting a #ortal blo($ and left the train by the o''osite door$ alighting "'on the rail(ay tra !))thereby transgressing Rail(ay Reg"lations*% A noble#an (as riti i6ed for b"rning do(n a athedral* He said he (as tr"ly sorry b"t had been infor#ed)falsely$ as it t"rned o"t )that the Ar hbisho' (as insideH JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ 1n a s#all to(n a #an dialled C8K for dire tory infor#ation* A (o#ans ,oi e at the other end said* 1# sorry2 yo" (ill ha,e to dial C8L for that*% 1t see#ed to hi#* (hen he had dialled C8L$ that he (as hearing the sa#e ,oi e at the other end* &o he said* Arent yo" the lady (ho# 1 s'o!e to a (hile ago/% 1 a#*% said the ,oi e* 1# doing both +obs today*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ *nor #agnified o"t of all 'ro'ortion*** Mr* &#ith had !illed his (ife and his defen e (as te#'orary insanity* He (as in the (itness stand and his la(yer as!ed hi# to des ribe the ri#e in his o(n (ords* Yo"r Hono"r$% he said$ 1 a# a E"iet #an of reg"lar habits (ho li,es at 'ea e (ith all the (orld* Ea h day 1 (a!e at se,en$ ha,e brea!fast at se,en)thirty$ sho( "' for (or! at nine$ lea,e (or! at fi,e$ o#e ho#e at si@$ find s"''er on the table$ eat it$ read the 'a'ers$ (at h tele,ision$ then retire for the night* Until the day in E"estion$*% Here his breathing a elerated and a loo! of f"ry a#e "'on hi#* Go on$% said the la(yer E"ietly* Tell this o"rt (hat ha''ened*% On the day in E"estion* 1 (o!e "' at se,en$ as "s"al$ had #y brea!fast at se,en)

thirty$ got to (or! at nine$ left at fi,e$ got ho#e at si@ and 1 dis o,ered to #y dis#ay that s"''er (asnt on the table* There (as no sign of #y (ife either* &o 1 sear hed thro"gh the ho"se and fo"nd her in bed (ith a strange #an* &o 1 shot her*% >es ribe yo"r e#otions at the ti#e yo" !illed her$% said the la(yer$ an@io"s to #a!e his 'oint* 1 (as in an "n ontrollable rage* 1 +"st (ent o"t of #y #ind* Yo"r Hono"r$ ladies and gentle#en of the +"ry$ he sho"ted 'o"nding the ar# of his hair (ith his fist$ -hen 1 get ho#e at si@ 1 absol"tely de#and that s"''er be ready on the tableH% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ ***nor e@'loited* M"llah Nasr"ddin fo"nd a dia#ond by the road)side b"t$ a ording to the ?a($ finders be a#e !ee'ers only if they first anno"n ed their find in the entre of the #ar!et'la e on three se'arate o asions* No( Nasr"ddin (as too religio"s)#inded to disregard the ?a( and too greedy to r"n the ris! of 'arting (ith his find* &o on three onse "ti,e nights (hen he (as s"re that e,eryone (as fast aslee' he (ent to the entre of the #ar!et'la e and there anno"n ed in a soft ,oi e$ 1 ha,e fo"nd a dia#ond on the road that leads to the to(n* Anyone !no(ing (ho the o(ner is sho"ld onta t #e at on e*% No one (as the (iser for the M"llahs (ords$ of o"rse$ e@ e't for one #an (ho ha''ened to be standing at his (indo( on the third night and heard the M"llah #"#ble so#ething* -hen he atte#'ted to find o"t (hat it (as$ Nasr"ddin re'lied$ 1 a# in no (ay obliged to tell yo"* A"t this #" h 1 shall say3 Aeing a religio"s #an$ 1 (ent o"t there at night to 'rono"n e ertain (ords in f"lfil#ent of the ?a(*% To be 'ro'erly (i !ed$ yo" do not ha,e to brea! the ?a(* 4"st obser,e it to the letter* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A#ong 4e(s$ the obser,an e of the &abbath$ the day of the ?ord$ (as originally a thing of +oy b"t too #any Rabbis !e't iss"ing one in+"n tion after another on ho( e@a tly it (as to be obser,ed$ (hat sort of a ti,ity (as allo(ed$ "ntil so#e 'eo'le fell they o"ld hardly #o,e d"ring the &abbath for fear that so#e reg"lation or other #ight be transgressed* The Aaal &he#$ son of Elie6er$ ga,e #" h tho"ght to this #atter* One night he had a drea#* An angel too! hi# "' to hea,en and sho(ed hi# t(o thrones 'la ed far abo,e all others* For (ho# are these reser,ed/% he as!ed* For yo"$% (as the ans(er$ if yo" #a!e "se of yo"r intelligen e2 and for a #an (hose na#e and address is no( being (ritten do(n and gi,en to yo"*% He (as then ta!en to the dee'est s'ot in hell and sho(n t(o ,a ant seats* For (ho# are these 're'ared/% he as!ed* For yo"$% the ans(er a#e$ if yo" do not #a!e "se of yo"r intelligen e2 and for the #an (hose na#e and address are being (ritten do(n for yo"*% 1n his drea# Aaal &he# ,isited the #an (ho (as to be his o#'anion in 'aradise* He fo"nd hi# li,ing a#ong Gentiles$ E"ite ignorant of 4e(ish "sto#s and$ on the &abbath$ he (o"ld gi,e a banE"et at (hi h there (as a lot of #erry#a!ing and to (hi h all his Gentile neighbo"rs (ere in,ited* -hen Aaal &he# as!ed hi# (hy he held this banE"et$ the #an re'lied$ 1 re all that in #y hildhood #y 'arents ta"ght #e that the &abbath (as a day for rest and for re+oi ing2 so on &at"rdays #y #other #ade the #ost s" "lent #eals at (hi h (e sang and dan ed and #ade #erry* 1 do the sa#e today*% Aaal &he# atte#'ted to instr" t the #an in the (ays of his religion for he had been born a 4e( b"t (as e,idently E"ite ignorant of all the rabbini al 'res ri') tions* A"t he (as str" ! d"#b (hen he realised that the #ans +oy in the &abbath

(o"ld be #arred if he (as #ade a(are of his short) o#ings* Aaal &he#$ still in his drea#$ then (ent to the ho#e of his o#'anion in hell* He fo"nd the #an to be a stri t obser,er of the ?a($ al(ays a''rehensi,e lest his ond" t sho"ld not be orre t* The 'oor #an s'ent ea h &abbath day in a s r"'"lo"s tension as if he (ere)sitting on hoi oals* -hen Aaal &he# atte#'ted to "'braid hi# for his sla,ery to the ?a($ the 'o(er of s'ee h (as ta!en fro# hi# as he realised that the #an (o"ld ne,er "nderstand that he o"ld do (rong by f"lfilling religio"s in+"n tions* Than!s to this re,elation gi,en hi# in the for# of a drea#$ the Aaal &he# To, e,ol,ed a ne( syste# of obser,an e (hereby God is (orshi''ed in +oy that o#es fro# the heart* -hen 'eo'le are +oyf"l they ore al(ays good2 (hereas (hen they are good they are seldo# +oyf"l* The 'riest anno"n ed that 4es"s 5hrist hi#self (as o#ing to h"r h the follo(ing &"nday* Peo'le t"rned "' in large n"#bers to see hi#* E,eryone e@'e ted hi# to 'rea h$ b"t he only s#iled (hen introd" ed and said$ Hello$% E,eryone offered hi# hos'itality for the night$ es'e ially the 'riest$ b"t he ref"sed 'olitely* He said he (o"ld s'end the night in h"r h* Ho( fitting$ e,eryone tho"ght* He sli''ed a(ay early ne@t #orning before the 5h"r h doors (ere o'ened* And$ to their horror$ The 'riest and 'eo'le fo"nd their h"r h had been ,andalised* & ribbled e,ery(here on the (alls (as the single (ord AE-ARE* No 'art of the h"r h (as s'ared3 the doors and (indo(s$ the 'illars and the '"l'it$ the altar$ e,en the bible that rested on the le tern* AE-ARE* & rat hed in large letters and in s#all$ in 'en il and 'en and 'aint of e,ery on ei,able olo"r* -here,er the eye rested one o"ld see the (ords$ AE-ARE$ be(are* Ae(are$ AE-ARE$ be(are$ be(are***% &ho !ing* 1rritating* 5onf"sing* Fas inating* Terrifying* -hat (ere they s"''osed to be(are of/ 1t did not say* 1t +"st said$ AE-ARE* The first i#'"lse of the 'eo'le (as to (i'e o"t e,ery tra e of this defile#ent$ this sa rilege* They (ere restrained fro# doing this only by the tho"ght that it (as 4es"s hi#self (ho had done the deed* No( that #ysterio"s (ord AE-ARE began to sin! into the #inds of the 'eo'le ea h ti#e they a#e to h"r h* They began to be(are of the s ri't"res$ so they (ere able to 'rofit fro# the s ri't"res (itho"t falling into bigotry* They began to be(are of sa ra#ents$ so they (ere san tified (itho"t be o#ing s"'erstitio"s* The 'riest began to be(are of his 'o(er o,er the 'eo'le$ so he (as able to hel' (itho"t ontrolling* And e,eryone began lo be(are of religion (hi h leads the "n(ary to self)righteo"sness* They began to be(are of h"r h la($ so they be a#e la()abiding$ yet o#'assionate to the (ea!* They began to be(are of 'rayer$ so it no longer sto''ed the# fro# be o#ing self)reliant* They e,en began to be(are of their notions of God so they (ere able to re ogni6e hi# o"tside the narro( onfines of their h"r h* They ha,e no( ins ribed the sho !ing (ord o,er the entran e of their h"r h and as yo" dri,e 'ast at night yo" an see it bla6ing abo,e the h"r h in #"lti olo"red neon lights* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ GRA5E A 'riest (as sitting at his des! by the (indo( o#'osing a ser#on on Pro,iden e (hen he heard so#ething that so"nded li!e an e@'losion* &oon he sa( 'eo'le r"nning to and fro in a 'ani and dis o,ered that a da# had b"rst$ the ri,er (as in s'ate and the 'eo'le (ere being e,a "ated* The 'riest sa( the (ater begin to rise in the street belo(* He had so#e diffi "lty s"''ressing his o(n rising sense of 'ani b"t he$ said to hi#self$ Here 1 a# 're'aring a ser#on abo"t Pro,iden e and 1 a# being gi,en an o asion to 'ra tise (hat 1 'rea h* 1 shall not flee (ith the rest* 1 shall stay right here and tr"st in the 'ro,iden e of God to sa,e #e*

Ay the ti#e the (ater rea hed his (indo( a boat f"ll of 'eo'le a#e by* 4"#' in$ Father$% they sho"ted$ Ah no$ #y hildren$% said Father onfidently* 1 tr"st in the 'ro,iden e of God to sa,e #e*% Father did li#b to the roof$ ho(e,er$ and (hen the (ater got "' there another boatload of 'eo'le (ent by$ "rging Father to +oin the#* Again he ref"sed* This ti#e he li#bed to the to' of the belfry* -hen the (ater a#e "' to his !nees an offi er in a #otorboat (as sent to res "e hi#* No than! yo"$ offi er$% said Father$ (ith a al# s#ile* 1 tr"st in God$ yo" see* He (ill ne,er let #e do(n*% -hen Father dro(ned and (ent to hea,en the first thing he did (as to o#'lain to God 1 tr"sted yo"H -hy did yo" do nothing to sa,e #e/% -ell$% said God* 1 did send three boats$ yo" !no(*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ T(o #on!s (ere on their tra,els* One of the# 'ra tised the s'irit"ality of a E"isition$ the other belie,ed in ren"n iation* All day long they dis "ssed their res'e ti,e s'irit"alities till$ to(ards e,ening they a#e to the ban! of a ri,er* No( the belie,er in ren"n iation had no #oney (ith hi# He said$ -e annot 'ay the boat#an to ta!e "s a ross$ b"t (hy bother abo"t the body/ -e shall s'end the night here$ hanting Gods 'raises and to#orro( (e are s"re to find so#e !ind so"l (ho (ill 'ay o"r 'assage*% The other said$ There is no ,illage on this side of the ri,er$ no ha#let$ no h"t$ no shelter* -e shall be de,o"red by (ild beasts or bitten by sna!es or !illed by the old* On the other side of the ri,er (e shall be able to s'end the night in safety and o#fort* 1 ha,e the #oney to 'ay the boat#an*% On e they (ere safely on the other ban! he re#onstrated (ith his o#'anion$ >o yo" see the ,al"e of !ee'ing #oney/ 1 (as able to sa,e yo"r life and #ine* -hat (o"ld ha,e ha''ened to "s if 1 had been a #an of ren"n iation li!e yo"/% The other re'lied$ 1t (as yo"r ren"n iation that bro"ght "s a ross to safety$ for yo" did 'art (ith yo"r #oney to 'ay the boat#an$ didnt yo"/ Moreo,er$ ha,ing no #oney in #y 'o !et$ yo"r 'o !et be a#e #ine* 1 ha,e obser,ed that 1 ne,er s"ffer2 1 a# al(ays 'ro,ided for*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ At a 'arty in 4a'an a ,isitor (as introd" ed to a 'o'"lar 4a'anese drin!* After his first drin! he noti ed the f"rnit"re in the roo# #o,ing aro"nd* This is a ,ery 'o(erf"l drin!*% he said to his host* Not 'arti "larly$% the host re'lied* This ha''ens to be an earthE"a!e*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ An ele'hant bro!e loose fro# the herd and harged a ross a little (ooden str" t"re that stret hed a ross a ra,ine* The (orn)o"t bridge shi,ered and groaned$ barely able to s"''ort the ele'hants (eight* On e it had gone safely to the other side$ a flea that had lodged itself in the ele'hants ear e@ lai#ed in #ighty satisfa tion$ Aoy$ did (e sha!e that bridgeH% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ An old (o#an obser,ed ho($ (ith s ientifi 're ision$ her rooster (o"ld begin to ro( +"st before the s"n rose ea h day* &he therefore a#e to the on l"sion that the ro(ing of her rooster a"sed the s"n to rise* &o (hen her rooster s"ddenly died she hastened to re'la e it (ith another lest the s"n fail to rise the follo(ing #orning* One day she fell o"t (ith her neighbo"rs and threatened to #o,e o"t of the ,illage (ith her sister se,eral #iles a(ay* -hen her rooster started to ro( ne@t day and$ a little later$ the s"n began to rise serenely abo,e the hori6on$ she (as onfir#ed in (hat she had !no(n all along3 the s"n (as no( rising here and her ,illage (as in dar!ness* -ell$ they had as!ed for itH

1t did a"se her to (onder$ tho"gh$ that her for#er neighbo"rs ne,er a#e to beg her to ret"rn to the ,illage (ith her rooster* &he +"st '"t it do(n to their st"bbornness and st"'idity* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ &o this (as yo"r first flight* -ere yo" s ared/% -ell$ to tell yo" the tr"th$ 1 didnt dare '"t #y f"ll (eight do(n on the seat*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A dis i'le a#e riding on his a#el to the tent of his &"fi Master* He dis#o"nted and (al!ed right into the tent$ bo(ed lo( and said$ &o great is #y tr"st in God that 1 ha,e left #y a#el o"tside "ntied$ on,in ed that God 'rote ts the interests of those (ho lo,e hi#*% Go tie yo"r a#el$ yo" foolH% said the Master* God annot be bothered doing for yo" (hat yo" are 'erfe tly a'able of doing for yo"rself*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ Goldberg had the lo,eliest garden in to(n and ea h ti#e the Rabbi 'assed by he (o"ld all o"t to Goldberg$ Yo"r garden is a thing of bea"ty* The ?ord and yo" are 'artnersH% Than! yo"* Rabbi$% Goldberg (o"ld res'ond (ith a bo(* This (ent on for days and (ee!s and #onths* At least t(i e a day the Rabbi$ on his (ay to and fro# the synagog"e (o"ld all o"t$ The ?ord and yo" are 'artnersH% "ntil Goldberg began to be annoyed at (hat the Rabbi e,idently #eant as a o#'li#ent* &o the ne@t ti#e the Rabbi said$ The ?ord and yo" are 'artners$% Goldberg re'lied$ That #ay be tr"e* A"t yo" sho"ld ha,e seen this garden (hen the ?ord had it all on his o(nH% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ 1n his Narrati,e of the &aints$ Attar tells of the great &"fi Habib A+a#i (ho (ent to bathe in the ri,er one day lea,ing his oat lying "nattended on the ban!* No( Hasan of Aasra ha''ened to 'ass by$ sa( the oat and$ thin!ing that it had been left there thro"gh so#eones arelessness$ de ided to stand g"ard o,er it till the o(ner sho(ed "'* -hen Habib a#e loo!ing for his oat$ Hasan said$ 1n (hose are did yo" lea,e this oat of yo"rs (hen yo" (ent to bathe in the ri,er/ 1t o"ld ha,e been stolenH% Habib re'lied$ 1 left it in the are of Hi# (ho ga,e yo" the tas! of standing g"ard o,er itH% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A #an (as lost in a desert* ?ater$ (hen des ribing his ordeal to his friends$ he told ho($ in sheer des'air$ he had !nelt do(n and ried o"t to God to hel' hi#* And did God ans(er yo"r 'rayer/% he (as as!ed* Oh$ noH Aefore He o"ld$ an e@'lorer a''eared and sho(ed #e the (ay*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A gro"' of e@'e tant fathers sat ner,o"sly in the hall* A n"rse be !oned to one of the# and said$ 5ongrat"lations$ yo" ha,e a sonH% Another #an dro''ed his #aga6ine$ +"#'ed "' and ried$ Hey$ (hats the idea/ 1 got here t(o ho"rs before he didH% &o#e things$ alas$ resist organi6ationH JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ The President of the largest Aan!ing 5or'oration in the (orld (as in hos'ital* One of the 0i e)Presidents a#e to ,isit hi# (ith this #essage3 1 bring yo" the good (ishes of o"r Aoard of >ire tors$ that yo" sho"ld be restored to health and li,e

to be a h"ndred years* Thats an offi ial resol"tion 'assed by a #a+ority of 8L to K (ith 9 abstensions*% Are (e e,er li!ely to sto' o"r efforts/ to b"rn fire$ (et (ater and add olo"r to the rose/ JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A fa#ily of ref"gees (as ,ery fa,o"rably i#'ressed (ith A#eri a)es'e ially the si@)year)old da"ghter (ho ra'idly ado'ted the ,ie( that e,erything A#eri an (as not only the best b"t also 'erfe t* One day a neighbo"r told her she (as going lo ha,e a baby$ so little Mary #ar hed ho#e and de#anded to !no( (hy she o"ldnt ha,e a little baby too Her #other de ided to introd" e her to the fa ts of life right there and$ a#ong other things$ e@'lained that it too! abo"t nine #onths for a baby to arri,e* Nine #onthsH% e@ lai#ed Mary indignantly* A"t #other$ arent yo" forgetting that this is A#eri a/% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ M"##y$ 1 (ant a baby brother*% A"t yo",e +"st got one*% 1 (ant another*% -ell$ yo" ant ha,e one so soon* 1t ta!es ti#e to 'rod" e a baby brother*% -hy dont yo" do (hat >addy does at the fa tory/% -hats that/% P"t #ore #en on the +ob*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A (o#an drea#t she (al!ed into a brand ne( sho' in the #ar!et'la e and$ to her s"r'rise$ fo"nd God behind the o"nter* -hat do yo" sell here/% she as!ed E,erything yo"r heart desires$% said God* Hardly daring to belie,e (hat she (as hearing$ the (o#an de ided to as! for the best things a h"#an being o"ld (ish for* 1 (ant 'ea e of #ind and lo,e and ha''iness and (isdo# and freedo# fro# fear$% she said* Then as an after tho"ght$ she added$ Not +"st for #e* For e,eryone on earth*% God s#iled* 1 thin! yo",e got #e (rong$ #y dear$% He said* -e dont sell fr"its here* Only seeds*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A de,o"t religio"s #an fell on hard ti#es* &o he too! to 'raying in the follo(ing fashion3 ?ord$ re#e#ber all the years 1 ser,ed yo" as best 1 o"ld$ as!ing for nothing in ret"rn* No( that 1 a# old and ban!r"'t 1 a# going to as! yo" for a fa,o"r for the first ti#e in #y life and 1 a# s"re yo" (ill not say No3 allo( #e to (in the lottery*% >ays 'assed* Then (ee!s and #onths* A"t nothing ha''ened* Finally$ al#ost dri,en to des'air$ he ried o"t one night$ -hy dont yo" gi,e #e a brea!$ God/% He s"ddenly heard the ,oi e of God re'lying$ Gi,e #e a brea! yo"rselfH -hy dont yo" b"y a lottery ti !et/% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A yo"ng o#'oser on e a#e to ons"lt Mo6art on ho( to de,elo' his talent* 1 (o"ld ad,ise yo" to start (ith si#'le things*% Mo6art said* &ongs$ for e@a#'le*% A"t yo" (ere o#'osing sy#'honies (hen yo" (ere a hildH% the #an 'rotested* Tr"e eno"gh* A"t then 1 didnt ha,e to go to anyone for ad,i e on ho( to de,elo' #y talent*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A #an in his eighties (as on e as!ed the se ret of his enor#o"s sta#ina*

-ell$% he ans(ered$ 1 dont drin!$ 1 dont s#o!e* And 1 s(i# a #ile a day$% A"t 1 had an "n le (ho did e@a tly that$ and he died at the age of si@ty*% Ah$ the tro"ble (ith yo"r "n le (as he didnt do it long eno"gh*% One &"nday #orning after h"r h God and &t Peter (ent to 'lay golf* God teed off* He ga,e a #ighty s(i'e and sli ed the ball off into the ro"gh beside the fair(ay* 4"st as the ball (as abo"t to hit the gro"nd$ a rabbit darted o"t of a b"sh$ 'i !ed it "' in his #o"th and ran (ith it do(n the fair(ay* &"ddenly an eagle s(oo'ed do(n$ 'i !ed the rabbit "' in its la(s and fle( it o,er the green* A #an (ith a rifle too! ai# and shot the eagle in #id)flight* The eagle let go of the rabbit* The rabbit fell onto the green and the ball rolled o"t of its #o"th into the hole* &t Peter t"rned to God in annoyan e and said$ 5o#e on no(H >o yo" (ant to 'lay golf or do yo" (ant to fool aro"nd/% And bo( abo"t yo"/ >o yo" (ont to "nderstand and 'loy the ga#e of life or fool aro"nd (ith #ira les/ JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ &o#e things are best left as they are3 An enth"siasti yo"ng #an (ho had +"st grad"ated as a 'l"#ber (as ta!en to see Niagara Falls* He st"died it for a #in"te$ then said* 1 thin! 1 an fi@ this*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ THE &A1NT& &o#e are born holy* others a hie,e holiness* others yet ha,e holiness thr"st on the#* An oil (ell a"ght fire and the o#'any alled in the e@'erts to '"t o"t the bla6e* A"t so intense (as the heat that the fire)fighters o"ld not get (ithin a tho"sand feet of the rig* The #anage#ent$ in des'eration$ alled the lo al ,ol"nteer Fire >e'art#ent to hel' in any (ay they o"ld* Half an ho"r later a de re'it loo!ing fire tr" ! rolled do(n the road and a#e to an abr"'t sto' +"st fifty feet a(ay fro# the de,o"ring fla#es* The #en +"#'ed o"t of the tr" !$ s'rayed one another$ then (ent on to '"t the fire o"t* The #anage#ent$ in gratit"de$ held a ere#ony so#e days later at (hi h the o"rage of the lo al fire)#en (as o##ended$ their dedi ation to d"ty e@tolled ) and an enor#o"s heE"e (as 'resented to the hief of the fire de'art#ent* -hen as!ed by re'orters (hat he 'lanned to do (ith the heE"e$ the hief re'lied* -ell$ the first thing 1# going to do is ta!e that fire tr" ! to a garage and ha,e the da#ned bra!es re'airedH% For others$ alas$ holiness is no #ore than a rit"al* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ ?ady P"#'ha#'tons gentle#an friend had o#e to tea so she ga,e her #aid a large ti' and said$ Here$ la!e this* -hen yo" hear #e s rea# for hel'$ yo" #ay lea,e for the day*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ There on e li,ed a #an so godly that e,en the angels re+oi ed at the sight of hi#* A"t$ in s'ite of his great holiness$ he had no notion that he (as holy He +"st (ent abo"t his h"#dr"# tas!s diff"sing goodness the (ay flo(ers "nself ons io"sly diff"se their fragran e and street)la#'s their glo( His holiness lay in this that he forgot ea h 'ersons 'ast and loo!ed at the# as they (ere no($ and he loo!ed beyond ea h 'ersons a''earan e to the ,ery entre of their being (here they (ere inno ent and bla#eless and too ignorant to !no( (hat they (ere doing* Th"s he lo,ed and forga,e e,eryone he #et)and he sa( nothing e@traordinary in this for it (as the res"lt of his (ay of loo!ing at 'eo'le* One day an angel said to hi#* 1 ha,e been sent to yo" by God* As! for anything

yo" (ish and it (ill be gi,en to yo"* -o"ld yo" (ish to ha,e the gift of healing/% No$% said the #an$ 1d rather God did the healing hi#self*% -o"ld yo" (ant to bring sinners ba ! to the 'ath of righteo"sness/% No$% he said$ it is not for #e to to" h h"#an hearts* That is the (or! of angels*% -o"ld yo" li!e to be s" h a #odel of ,irt"e that 'eo'le (ill be dra(n to i#itate yo"/% No$% said the saint$ for that (o"ld #a!e #e the entre of attention*% -hat then do yo" (ish for/% as!ed the angel* The gra e of God$% (as the #ans re'ly Ha,ing that* 1 ha,e all 1 desire*% No$ yo" #"st as! for so#e #ira le*% said the angel$ or one (ill be for ed on yo"% -ell$ then 1 shall as! for this3 let good be done thro"gh #e (itho"t #y being a(are of it &o it (as de reed that the holy #ans shado( (o"ld be endo(ed (ith healing 'ro'erties (hene,er it fell behind hi#* &o e,ery(here his shado( fell)'ro,ided he had his ba ! to it)the si ! (ere healed$ the land be a#e fertile$ fo"ntains s'rang to life and olo"r ret"rned to the fa es of those (ho (ere (eighed do(n by lifes sorro(* A"t the saint !ne( nothing of this be a"se the attention of 'eo'le (as so entred on the shado( that they forgot abo"t the #an and so his (ish that good be done thro"gh hi# and he forgotten (as ab"ndantly f"lfilled* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ Holiness$ li!e greatness$ is "nself) ons io"s* For thirty)fi,e years Pa"l 5e6anne li,ed in obs "rity 'rod" ing #aster'ie es that he ga,e a(ay to "ns"s'e ting neighbo"rs* &o great (as his lo,e for his (or! that he ne,er ga,e a tho"ght to a hie,ing re ognition nor did he s"s'e t that so#e day he (o"ld be loo!ed "'on as the father of #odern 'ainting* He o(es his fa#e to a Paris dealer (ho han ed "'on so#e of his 'aintings$ '"t so#e of the# together and 'resented the (orld of art (ith the first 5e6anne e@hibition* The (orld (as astonished to dis o,er the 'resen e of a #aster* The #aster (as +"st as astonished* He arri,ed at the art gallery leaning on the ar# of his son and o"ld not ontain his a#a6e#ent (hen he sa( his 'aintings on dis'lay* T"rning to his son he said* ?oo!$ they ha,e fra#ed the#H% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A"ddhas dis i'le &"bh"ti s"ddenly dis o,ered the ri hness and fe "ndity of e#'tiness3 the realisation that e,erything is i#'er#anent$ "nsatisfa tory and e#'ty of self* 1n this #ood of di,ine e#'tiness he sat in bliss "nder a tree (hen s"ddenly flo(ers began to fall all aro"nd hi#* And the gods (his'ered$ -e are enra't"red by yo"r s"bli#e tea hings on e#'tiness*% &"bh"ti re'lied$ A"t 1 ha,ent "ttered a (ord abo"t e#'tiness*% Tr"e$% the gods re'lied* Yo" ha,e not s'o!en of e#'tiness$ (e ha,e not heard of e#'tiness* This is tr"e e#'tiness*% And the sho(ers of blosso#s ontin"ed to fall* 1f 1 had s'o!en of #y e#'tiness or e,en been a(are of it (o"ld it be e#'tiness/ M"si needs the hollo(ness of the fl"te$ letters$ the blan!ness of the 'age$ light$ the ,oid alled a (indo($ holiness$ the absen e of the self* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ An old rabbi (as lying ill in bed and his dis i'les (ere holding a (his'ered on,ersation at his bedside* They (ere e@tolling his "n'aralleled ,irt"es* Not sin e the ti#e of &olo#on has there been one as (ise as he$% said one of the#* And his faithH 1t eE"als that of o"r father Abraha#H% said another &"rely his 'atien e eE"als that of 4ob*% said a third* Only in Moses an (e find so#eone (ho on,ersed as in inti#ately (ith God said a fo"rth* The rabbi see#ed restless* -hen the dis i'les had gone his (ife said to hi#* >id yo" hear the# sing yo"r 'raises/% 1 did*% said the rabbi* Then (hy are yo" so fretf"l/% said his (ife* My #odesty$% o#'lained the rabbi* No one #entioned #y #odestyH%

He (as indeed a saint (ho said* 1 a# only fo"r bare (alls )(ith nothing inside* No one o"ld be f"ller JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A ninety)t(o year old 'riest (as ,enerated by e,eryone in to(n* -hen he a''eared on the streets 'eo'le (o"ld bo( lo( s" h (as the #ans re'"tation for holiness* He (as also a #e#ber of the Rotary 5l"b* E,ery ti#e the 5l"b #et he (o"ld be there$ al(ays on ti#e and al(ays seated at his fa,o"rite s'ot in a orner of the roo# One day the 'riest disa''eared* 1t (as as if he ,anished into thin air be a"se$ sear h as they #ight$ the to(nsfol! o"ld find no tra e of hi#* The follo(ing #onth$ ho(e,er$ (hen the Rotary 5l"b #et$ there he (as as "s"al$ sitting in his orner* A"t$ Father*% e,eryone ried$ .(here ha,e yo" been/% 1n 'rison*% said Father al#ly* 1n 'rison/ For hea,ens sa!e yo" o"ldnt h"rt a flyH -hat ha''ened/% 1ts a long story$% said the 'riest$ b"t* briefly$ this is (hat ha''ened3 1 bo"ght #yself a train ti !et to the ity and (as (aiting on the 'latfor# for the train to arri,e (hen this st"nningly bea"tif"l girl a''ears on the ar# of a 'oli e#an &he loo!s #e o,er$ t"rns to the o' and say* He did it*% And to tell yo" the tr"th 1 (as so flattered* 1 'leaded g"ilty JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ Fo"r #on!s de ided to go into silen e for a #onth They started o"t (ell eno"gh b"t after the first day one #on! said$ 1 (onder if 1 lo !ed the door of #y ell at the #onastery before (e set o"t*% Another #on! said$ Yo" foolH -e de ided to !ee' silen e for a #onth and no( yo" ha,e gone and bro!en itH% A third #on! said* -hat abo"t yo"/ Yo" ha,e bro!en it tooH% &aid the fo"rth* Than! God 1# the only one (ho hasnt s'o!en yetH% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A #an (al!ed into a do tors offi e and said$ >o tor$ i ha,e this a(f"l heada he that ne,er lea,es #e* 5o"ld yo" gi,e #e so#ething for it/% 1 (ill*% said the do tor$ A"t 1 (ant to he ! a fe( things o"t first* Tell #e$ do yo" drin! a lot of liE"or/% ?iE"or/% said the #an indignantly$ 1 ne,er to" h the filthy st"ff*% Ho( abo"t s#o!ing/% 1 thin! s#o!ing is disg"sting* 1,e ne,er in #y life to" hed toba o*% 1# a bit e#barrassed to as! this$ b"t*** yo" !no( the (ay so#e #en are*$ do yo" do any r"nning aro"nd at night/% Of o"rse not* -hat do yo" ta!e #e for/ 1# in bed e,ery night by ten o lo ! at the latest*% Tell #e*% said the do tor$ this 'ain in the head yo" s'ea! of$ is it a shar'$ shooting !ind of 'ain/% Yes$% said the #an .Thats it)a shar'$ shooting !ind of 'ain*% &i#'le$ #y dear fello(H Yo"r tro"ble is yo" ha,e yo"r halo on too tight* All (e need to do for yo"* is loosen it a bit*% The tro"ble (ith yo"r ideals is that$ if yo" line "' to all of the#* yo" be o#e i#'ossible to li,e (ith* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ An infl"ential Aritish 'oliti ian !e't 'estering >israeli for a baronet y* The Pri#e Minister o"ld not see his (ay to obliging the #an b"t he #anaged to ref"se hi# (itho"t h"rting his feelings* He said$ 1 a# sorry 1 annot gi,e yo" a baronet y$ b"t 1 an gi,e yo" so#ething better3 yo" an tell yo"r friends that 1 offered yo" the baronet y and that yo" t"rned it do(n* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ

One day a bisho' !nelt before the altar and* in an o"tb"rst of religio"s fer,o"r$ began to beat his breast and e@ lai#* 1# a sinner$ ha,e #er y on #eH 1# a sinner$ ha,e #er y on #eH% The lo al 'riest$ ins'ired by this e@a#'le of h"#ility$ fell on his !nees beside the bisho' and began to beat his breast and say* .1# a sinner$ ha,e #er y on #eH 1# a sinner$ ha,e #er y on #eH% The se@ton (ho ha''ened to be in h"r h at the ti#e (as so #o,ed he o"ld not restrain hi#self* He too fell on his !nees$ beat his breast$ and ried o"t* 1# a sinner$ ha,e #er y on #eH% -here"'on the bisho' n"dged the 'riest and$ 'ointing to(ards the se@ton$ said (ith a s#ile$ ?oo! (ho thin!s hes a sinnerH% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ There (as on e an as eti (ho li,ed a elibate life and #ade it his lifes #ission to fight against se@ in hi#self and others* 1n d"e o"rse he died* And his dis i'le$ (ho o"ld not stand the sho !$ died a little after hi#* -hen the dis i'le rea hed the other (orld he o"ldnt belie,e (hat he sa(3 there (as his belo,ed Master (ith the #ost e@traordinarily bea"tif"l (o#an seated on his la'H His sense of sho ! faded (hen it o "rred to hi# that his Master (as being re(arded for his se@"al abstinen e on earth* He (ent "' to hi# and said* Aelo,ed Master$ no( 1 !no( that God is +"st$ for yo" are being re(arded in hea,en for yo"r a"sterities on earth*% The Master see#ed annoyed* 1diotH% he said$ this isnt hea,en and 1# not being re(arded)&hes being '"nished*% -hen the shoe fits the foot is forgotten3 -hen the belt fits the (aist is forgotten2 -hen all things are in har#ony the ego is forgotten* Of (hat "se$ then$ are yo"r a"sterities/ JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ The lo al 'riest (as often seen tal!ing to a o#ely (o#an of bad re'"te)and in '"bli 'la es too to the great s andal of his ongregation* He (as s"##oned by his bisho' for a dressing do(n* -hen the bisho' had done$ the 'riest said* Yo"r E@ ellen y$ 1 ha,e al(ays held that it is better to tal! to a 'retty (o#an (ith ones tho"ghts set on God than to 'ray to God (ith ones tho"ghts fi@ed on a 'retty (o#an*% -hen the #on! goes to the ta,ern the ta,ern be o#es his ell* -hen the dr"n! goes to a 'rison$ the ell be o#es his ta,ern* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ An earthE"a!e hit the to(n and the Master (as 'leased to note ho( i#'ressed his dis i'les (ere by his dis'lay of fearlessness* -hen as!ed so#e days later (hat it #eant to onE"er fear$ he re#inded the# of his o(n e@a#'le* >id yo" obser,e ho($ (hile e,eryone (as r"nning to and fro in 'ani * 1 sat still$ al#ly si''ing (ater/ >id any of yo" see #y hand sha!e (hile 1 held the glass/% No$% said a dis i'le A"t it (asnt (ater yo" (ere drin!ing$ sir b"t soya bean sa" e*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ Nister"s the Great$ one of the holy Fathers of the Egy'tian >esert$ (as one day (al!ing in the desert (ith a large n"#ber of dis i'les (ho re,ered hi# as a #an of God &"ddenly a dragon a''eared before the# and they all ran a(ay* Many years later$ as Nister"s lay dying$ one of the dis i'les said to hi#* Father$ (ere yo" also frightened the day (e sa( the dragon/%

No$% said the dying #an* Then (hy did yo" r"n a(ay (ith the rest of "s/% 1 tho"ght it better to flee the dragon$ so 1 (o"ld not ha,e to flee fro# the s'irit of ,anity later*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ -hen the Egy'tian deserts (ere the abode of those holy #en alled the Fathers of the >esert a (o#an s"ffering fro# an er of the breast (ent in sear h of one of the#$ a ertain Abba ?ongin"s for the #an had the re'"tation of a saint and a healer* No( as the (o#an (as (al!ing along the sea$ she a#e "'on ?ongin"s hi#self olle ting fire(ood$ and said$ Holy father$ o"ld yo" tell #e (here the ser,ant of God Abba ?ongin"s li,es/% ?ongin"s said$ -hy are yo" loo!ing for that old fra"d/ >o not go to see hi# for he (ill only do yo" har#* -hats yo"r tro"ble/% &he told hi# (hat it (as* He there"'on ga,e her his blessing and sent her on her (ay saying$ Go no($ and God (ill s"rely #a!e yo" (hole again* ?ongin"s (o"ld ha,e been of no hel' to yo" at all*% &o the (o#an (ent a(ay$ onfident in the faith that she had been healed)(hi h she (as$ before the #onth (as o,er)and she died #any years later E"ite "na(are that it (as ?ongin"s (ho had healed her* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ On e so#eone a''roa hed a dis i'le of the M"sli# #ysti Aaha"din NaEshband and said$ Tell #e (hy yo"r Master on eals his #ira les* 1 ha,e 'ersonally olle ted data that sho(s beyond any do"bt that he has been 'resent in #ore than one 'la e at a ti#e2 that he healed 'eo'le by the 'o(er of his 'rayers b"t tells the# it (as the (or! of nat"re2 that he hel'ed 'eo'le in their tro"bles and then attrib"tes it to their good l" !* -hy does he do this/% 1 !no( e@a tly (hat yo" are tal!ing abo"t$% said the dis i'le$ for i ha,e obser,ed these things #yself* And 1 thin! 1 an gi,e yo" the ans(er to yo"r E"estion* First$ the Master re oils fro# being the entre of attention* And se ondly$ he is on,in ed that on e 'eo'le de,elo' an interest in the #ira "lo"s$ they ha,e no desire to learn anything of tr"e s'irit"al ,al"e*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ ?aila and Ra#a (ere lo,ers$ b"t too 'oor to get #arried as yet* They li,ed in different ,illages se'arated by a broad ri,er that (as infested (ith ro odiles* One day ?aila heard that her Ra#a (as dangero"sly ill (ith no one to n"rse hi#* &he r"shed to the ri,er ban! and 'leaded (ith the boat#an to ta!e her a ross e,en tho"gh she did not ha,e the #oney to 'ay hi#* A"t the (i !ed boat#an ref"sed "nless she agreed to slee' (ith hi# that night* The 'oor (o#an begged and 'leaded b"t to no a,ail so$ in sheer des'eration$ she onsented to the boat#ans ter#s* -hen she finally got to Ra#a she fo"nd hi# near to death* A"t she stayed (ith hi# for a #onth and n"rsed hi# ba ! to health* One day Ra#a as!ed ho( she had #anaged to ross the ri,er* Aeing in a'able of lying to her belo,ed$ she told hi# the tr"th* -hen Ra#a heard her tale he fell into a rage for he ,al"ed ,irt"e #ore than life itself* He dro,e her o"t of the ho"se and ref"sed to loo! at her again* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ Gessen (as a A"ddhist #on!* He (as also an e@ e'tionally talented artist* Aefore he started (or! on any 'ainting$ ho(e,er$ he al(ays de#anded 'ay#ent in ad,an e* And his fees (ere e@orbitant* &o he a#e to be !no(n as the Greedy Mon!* A geisha on e sent for hi# to ha,e a 'ainting done* Gessen said* Ho( #" h (ill yo" 'ay #e/% The girl ha''ened to be entertaining a 'atron at that ti#e* &he said$ Any s"# yo" as! for* A"t the 'ainting #"st be done right no( before #e*%

Gessen set to (or! at on e and (hen the 'ainting (as o#'leted he as!ed for the highest s"# he had e,er harged* As the geisha (as gi,ing hi# his #oney$ she said to her 'atron$ This #an is s"''osed to be a #on! b"t all he thin!s of is #oney* His talent is e@ e'tional b"t he has a filthy$ #oney)lo,ing #ind* Ho( does one e@hibit the an,as of a filthy)#inded #an li!e that/ His (or! is good eno"gh for #y "nder lothingH% -ith that she fl"ng a 'etti oat at hi# and as!ed hi# to 'aint a 'i t"re on it* Gessen as!ed the "s"al E"estion before he started the (or!3 Ho( #" h (ill yo" gi,e #e/% Oh$ any s"# yo" as! for$% said the girl* Gessen na#ed his 'ri e$ 'ainted the 'i t"re$ sha#elessly 'o !eted the #oney and (al!ed a(ay* Many years later E"ite by han e so#eone fo"nd o"t (hy Gessen (as so greedy for #oney* A de,astating fa#ine often str" ! his ho#e 'ro,in e* The ri h (o"ld do nothing to hel' the 'oor* &o Gessen had se ret barns b"ilt in the area and had the# filled (ith grain for s" h e#ergen ies* No one !ne( (here the grain a#e fro# or (ho the benefa tor of the 'ro,in e (as Another reason (hy Gessen (anted #oney (as the road leading lo his ,illage fro# the ity #any #iles a(ay* 1t (as in s" h bad ondition that o@) arts o"ld not #o,e on it2 this a"sed #" h s"ffering to the aged and the infir# (hen they needed to get to the ity* &o Gessen had the road re'aired* The final reason (as a #editation te#'le (hi h Gessens tea her had al(ays desired to b"ild b"t o"ld not$ Gessen b"ilt this te#'le as a to!en of gratit"de to his re,ered tea her* After the Greedy Mon! had b"ilt the road$ the te#'le and the barns$ he thre( a(ay his 'aint and br"shes$ retired to the #o"ntains to gi,e hi#self to the on) te#'lati,e life and ne,er 'ainted another an,as again* A 'ersons ond" t generally sho(s (hat the obser,er i#agines it to sho(* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ T(o 1rish na,,ies (ere (or!ing on the road o"tside a ho"se of 'rostit"tion* Presently the lo al Protestant #inister a#e along$ '"lled do(n his hat and (al!ed into the b"ilding* Pat said to Mi!e$ >id yo" see that/ -hat an yo" e@'e t/ Hes a Protestant$ isnt he/% &oon after a rabbi arri,ed on the s ene* He '"lled his ollar "' and (al!ed in too* &aid Pat$ -hat a terrible e@a#'le for a religio"s leader to gi,e his 'eo'leH% Finally$ (ho sho"ld 'ass by b"t a 5atholi 'riest* He dre( his loa! aro"nd his head and sli''ed into the b"ilding* &aid Pat$ No( isnt it a terrible thing$ Mi!e$ to thin! that one of the girls #"st ha,e ta!en ill/% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A #an (as fishing in the northern #o"ntains* One day his g"ide too! to telling hi# ane dotes abo"t the bisho' (hose g"ide he had been the 're,io"s s"##er$ Yes*% the g"ide (as saying$ hes a good #an e@ e't for his lang"age*% Are yo" saying that the bisho' s(ears/% as!ed the #an* Oh$ b"t of o"rse$ sir$% said the g"ide* On e he a"ght a fine sal#on* 4"st as he (as abo"t to land it$ the fish sli''ed off the hoo!$ so 1 say to the bisho'$ Thats da#ned bad l" !H and the bisho'$ he loo!s #e straight in the eye and he says* Yes$ it is indeedH A"t thats the only ti#e 1 heard the bisho' "se s" h lang"age*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ >"ring the Meigi era t(o (ell)!no(n tea hers li,ed in To!yo2 as "nli!e ea h other as it (as 'ossible to be* One$ Unsho$ a &hingon tea her$ (as a #an (ho #eti "lo"sly obser,ed e,ery one of A"ddhas 're e'ts* He rose (ell before da(n$ retired (hen the night (as yo"ng$ ate nothing after the s"n had 'assed its 6enith and dran! no into@i ating drin!s* The other* Tan6an (as a 'hiloso'hy 'rofessor at the 1#'erial Todai Uni,ersity* He obser,ed no 're e'ts for he ate (hen he felt

li!e eating and sle't e,en d"ring the day ti#e* One day Unsho ,isited Tan6an and fo"nd hi# in his "'s* This (as E"ite s andalo"s sin e not e,en a dro' is s"''osed to to" h the tong"e of a A"ddhist* Hello$ #y friend$% Tan6an e@ lai#ed* -ill yo" o#e in and ha,e a drin! (ith #e/% Unsho (as o"traged* A"t he said in a ontrolled ,oi e$ 1 ne,er drin!*% One (ho does not drin! is not h"#an$ s"rely$% said Tan6an* This ti#e Unsho lost his te#'er* >o yo" #ean to say 1 a# inh"#an be a"se 1 do not to" h (hat the A"ddha e@'li itly forbade/ 1f 1 a# not h"#an$ (hat a# 1/% A A"ddha$% said Tan6an ha''ily* Tan6ans #anner of dying (as as ordinary as (as his #anner of li,ing* On the last day of his life he (rote si@ty 'ost ards$ ea h of (hi h read2 1 a# de'arting fro# this (orld This is #y last anno"n e#ent* Tan6an* 4"ly 9<$ 8;:9* He as!ed a friend to #ail these ards for hi# then E"ietly 'assed a(ay* The &"fi 4"naid of Aaghdad says$ The good)nat"red sens"alist is better than the bad)te#'ered saint*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A fa#ily of fi,e (ere en+oying their day at the bea h* The hildren (ere bathing in the o ean and #a!ing astles in the sand (hen in the distan e a little old lady a''eared* Her grey hair (as blo(ing in the (ind and her lothes (ere dirty and ragged* &he (as #"ttering so#ething to herself as she 'i !ed "' things fro# the bea h and '"t the# into a bag* The 'arents alled the hildren to their side and told the# to stay a(ay fro# the old lady* As she 'assed by$ bending do(n e,ery no( and then to 'i ! things "' she s#iled at the fa#ily* A"t her greeting (asnt ret"rned* Many (ee!s later they learnt that the little old lady had #ade it her lifelong r"sade to 'i ! "' bits of glass fro# the bea h so hildren (o"ldnt "t their feet* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ -andering as eti s are o##on in 1ndia and a 'easant #other had forbidden her son to ha,e anything to do (ith the# for (hile so#e of the# (ere re'"ted to be holy$ others (ere !no(n to be e@'loiters in disg"ise* One day a #other loo!ed o"t of her (indo( and sa( an as eti s"rro"nded by the ,illage hildren* To her s"r'rise$ the #an$ E"ite "n ons io"s of his dignity$ (as doing so#ersa"lts to entertain the#* &o i#'ressed (as she by the sight that she alled o"t to her little boy and said$ &on$ this ones a holy #an* Yo" #ay go o"t to hi#*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ There (as on e a 'riest so holy that he ne,er tho"ght ill of anyone* One day he sat do(n at a resta"rant for a "' of offee (hi h (as all he o"ld ta!e$ it being a day of fast and abstinen e$ (hen$ to his s"r'rise$ he sa( a yo"ng #e#ber of his ongregation de,o"ring a #assi,e stea! at the ne@t table* 1 tr"st 1 ha,ent sho !ed yo"* Father$% said the yo"ng fello( (ith a s#ile* AhH 1 ta!e it that yo" forgot that today is a day of fast and abstinen e$% said the 'riest* No$ no* 1 re#e#bered it distin tly*% Then yo" #"st be si !* The do tor has forbidden yo" to fast*% Not at all* 1# in the 'in! of health*% At that$ the 'riest raised his eyes to hea,en and said$ -hat an e@a#'le this yo"nger generation is to "s* ?ordH >o yo" see ho( this yo"ng #an here (o"ld rather ad#it his sins than tell a lie/% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ Of the great Men Master Rin6ai it (as said that ea h night the last thing he did

before he (ent to bed (as let o"t a great big belly la"gh that reso"nded thro"gh the orridors and (as heard in e,ery b"ilding of the #onastery gro"nds* And the first thing he did (hen he (o!e at da(n (as b"rst into 'eals of la"ghter so lo"d they (o!e "' e,ery #on! no #atter ho( dee' his sl"#ber* His dis i'les as!ed hi# re'eatedly to tell the# (hy he la"ghed b"t he (o"ldnt* And (hen he died he arried the se ret of his la"ghter (ith hi# to the gra,e* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ The Master (as in an e@'ansi,e #ood so his dis i'les so"ght to learn fro# hi# the stages he had 'assed thro"gh in his E"est for the di,ine* God first led #e by the hand$% he said$ into the ?and of A tion and there 1 d(elt for se,eral years* Then He ret"rned and led #e to the ?and of &orro(s2 there 1 li,ed "ntil #y heart (as '"rged of e,ery inordinate atta h#ent* That is (hen 1 fo"nd #yself in the ?and of ?o,e (hose b"rning fla#es ons"#ed (hate,er (as left in #e of self* This bro"ght #e to the ?and of &ilen e (here the #ysteries of life and death (ere bared before #y (ondering eyes*% -as that the final stage of yo"r E"est/% they as!ed* No*% The Master said$ One day God said* Today 1 shall ta!e yo" to the inner#ost san t"ary of the Te#'le$ to the heart of God hi#self* And 1 (as led to the ?and of ?a"ghter*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ Prisoner at the bar$% said the Grand 1nE"isitor$ yo" are harged (ith en o"raging 'eo'le to brea! the la(s$ traditions and "sto#s of o"r holy religion* Ho( do yo" 'lead/% G"ilty$ yo"r Hono"r*% And (ith freE"enting the o#'any of hereti s$ 'rostit"tes$ '"bli sinners$ the e@tortionist ta@) olle tors$ the olonial onE"erors of o"r nation)in short$ the e@ o##"ni ated* Ho( do yo" 'lead/% G"ilty$ yo"r Hono"r*% Finally$ yo" are harged (ith re,ising$ orre ting$ alling into E"estion the sa red tenets of o"r faith* Ho( do yo" 'lead/% G"ilty$ yo"r Hono"r*% -hat is yo"r na#e$ 'risoner/% 4es"s 5hrist$ yo"r Hono"r*% &o#e 'eo'le are +"st as alar#ed to see their religion 'ra tised as they are to hear it do"bted* THE &E?F An elderly gentle#an ran a "rio and antiE"e sho' in a large ity* A to"rist on e ste''ed in and got to tal!ing (ith the old #an abo"t the #any things that (ere sta !ed in that sho'* &aid the to"rist$ -hat (o"ld yo" say is the strangest$ the #ost #ysterio"s thing yo" ha,e here/% The old #an s"r,eyed the h"ndreds of "rios$ antiE"es$ st"ffed ani#als$ shr"n!en heads$ #o"nted fish and birds$ ar haeologi al finds$ deer heads*** then t"rned to the to"rist and said$ The strangest thing in this sho' is "nE"estionably #yself*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A tea her (as gi,ing a le t"re on #odern in,entions* 5an any of yo" #ention so#ething of i#'ortan e that did not e@ist fifty years ago/% she as!ed* One bright lad in the front ro( raised his hand eagerly and said* MeH% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ There is a re,ealing story of a #on! li,ing in the Egy'tian desert (ho (as so tor#ented by te#'tation that he o"ld bear it no longer* &o he de ided to abandon

his ell and go so#e(here else* As he (as '"tting on his sandals to arry o"t his resol,e he sa( another #on! not far fro# (here he stood (ho (as also '"tting his sandals on* -ho are yo"/% he as!ed the stranger* 1 a# yo"r self*% (as the re'ly* 1f it is on #y a o"nt that yo" are lea,ing this 'la e$ 1 (o"ld ha,e yo" !no( that no #atter (here yo" go 1 shall go (ith yo"*% &aid a des'airing lient to the 'sy hiatrist$ No #atter (here 1 go 1 ha,e to ta!e #yself along)and that s'oils e,erything*% Aoth (hat yo" r"n a(ay fro# ) and (hat yo" yearn for)is (ithin yo"* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A see!er$ in sear h of a Master (ho (o"ld lead hi# to the 'ath of holiness$ a#e to an ashra# 'resided o,er by a g"r" (ho$ in addition to ha,ing a great re'"tation for holiness$ (as also a fra"d* A"t the see!er did not !no( this* Aefore 1 a e't yo" as #y dis i'le$% said the g"r"$ 1 #"st test yo"r obedien e* There is a ri,er flo(ing by the ashra# that is infested (ith ro odiles* 1 (ant yo" to (ade a ross the ri,er*% &o great (as the faith of the yo"ng dis i'le that he did +"st that3 he (al!ed a ross the ri,er rying$ All 'raise to the 'o(er of #y g"r"H% To the g"r"s astonish#ent the #an (al!ed to the other ban! and ba ! "nhar#ed* This on,in ed the g"r" that he (as #ore of a saint than he hi#self had i#agined$ so he de ided to gi,e all his dis i'les a de#onstration of his 'o(er and thereby enhan e his re'"tation for holiness* He ste''ed into the ri,er rying$ All 'raise to #eH All 'raise to #eH% The ro odiles 'ro#'tly sei6ed hi# and de,o"red hi#* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ The de,il$ transfor#ed into an angel of light$ a''eared to one of the holy Fathers of the >esert and said$ i a# the Angel Gabriel and 1 ha,e been sent to thee by the Al#ighty*% The #on! re'lied$ Thin! again* Yo" #"st ha,e been sent to so#eone else$ 1 ha,e done nothing to deser,e the ,isit of an angel*% -ith that the de,il ,anished and ne,er again dared o#e any(here near the #on!* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A to"rist in 4a'an dis o,ered$ (hen he ,isited the golf lin!s$ that #ost of the good addies (ere (o#en* One day he arri,ed late at the o"rse and had to ta!e a yo"ng lad of ten as addie* He (as a tiny fello($ !ne( ne@t to nothing abo"t the o"rse or the ga#e and he s'o!e only three (ords of English$ Than!s to those three (ords$ ho(e,er$ the to"rist #ade hi# his addie for the rest of his stay* After ea h shot$ regardless of the res"lt$ the little fello( (o"ld sta#' his foot)and sho"t (ith feeling$ >a#ned good shotH% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A (o#an (as dee'ly h"rt by the beha,io"r of her fifteen)year old son* Ea h ti#e they (ent o"t together he (o"ld (al! on ahead of her* -as he asha#ed of her/ One day she as!ed hi#* Oh$ Mo#$ no$% (as his e#barrassed re'ly* 1ts +"st that yo" loo! so yo"ng that 1# (orried #y friends (ill s"s'e t 1 ha,e a ne( girl friend*% Her h"rt ,anished as if by #agi * JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ An elderly #an stood at the door (ith a 'ie e of a!e in his hand* My (ife is eighty)si@ today$% he said$ and she (ants yo" to ha,e a 'ie e of her birthday a!e*% The a!e (as re ei,ed gratef"lly$ 'arti "larly be a"se the #an had (al!ed nearly half a #ile to deli,er it* An ho"r later he (as ba !* 1s anything the #atter/% he (as as!ed* -ell$% he re'lied shee'ishly* Agatha sent #e ba ! to say shes only eighty)

fi,e*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A rooster (as s rat hing aro"nd in the stall of a large far# horse* -hen the horse began to get restless and started #o,ing aro"nd$ the rooster loo!ed "' at hi# and said$ -ed$ both of "s$ better be aref"l$ brother$ or (e are li!ely to ste' on ea h others toes*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ G"ess (hat the ant said to the ele'hant (hen Noah (as lining "' all the ani#als to get the# into the ar!* He said$ &to' '"shing*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A flea de ided to #o,e (ith his fa#ily into the ear of an ele'hant* &o he sho"ted$ Mr* Ele'hant$ sir$ #y fa#ily and 1 'lan to #o,e into yo"r ear* 1 thin! it only fair to gi,e yo" a (ee! to thin! the #atter o,er and let #e !no( if yo" ha,e any ob+e tion*% The ele'hant$ (ho (as not e,en a(are of the e@isten e of the flea (ent his 'la id (ay so$ after ons ientio"sly (aiting for a (ee!$ the flea ass"#ed the ele'hants onsent and #o,ed in* A #onth later Mrs* Flea de ided the ele'hants ear (as not a healthy 'la e to li,e in and "rged her h"sband to #onth at least so as not to h"rt the ele'hants feelings #oth at least so as not to h"rt the ele'hants feelings* Finally$ he '"t it as ta tf"lly as he o"ld3 Mr* Ele'hant$ sir (e 'lan to #o,e to other E"arters* This has nothing at all to do (ith yo"$ of o"rse$ be a"se yo"r ear is s'a io"s and (ar#* 1t is +"st that #y (ife (o"ld rather li,e ne@t door to her friends at the b"ffalos foot* 1f yo" ha,e any ob+e tion to o"r #o,ing$ do let #e !no( in the o"rse of the ne@t (ee!*% The ele'hant said nothing$ so the flea hanged residen e (ith a lear ons ien e* The "ni,erse is not a(are of yo"r e@isten e* Rela@H JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ The hoir (as going thro"gh its final rehearsal in the #idst of 'ande#oni"# be a"se the stage re( (as b"sy '"tting the finishing to" hes to the stage* -hen one yo"ng fello( began ha##ering a(ay so lo"dly that the din be a#e intolerable$ the ond" tor sto''ed the singing and loo!ed at hi# 'leadingly* There (as on e a s ientist (ho dis o,ered the art of re'rod" ing hi#self so 'erfe tly that it (as i#'ossible to tell the re'rod" tion fro# the original* One day he learnt that the Angel of >eath (as sear hing for hi# so he 'rod" ed a do6en o'ies of hi#self* The Angel (as at a loss to !no( (hi h of the thirteen s'e i#ens before hi# (as the s ientist$ so he left the# all alone and ret"rned to hea,en* Go right ahead (ith the singing$ ond" tor*% the #erry (or!er said* Theyre not dist"rbing #e*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A"t not for long$ for$ being an e@'ert in h"#an nat"re$ the angel a#e "' (ith a le,er de,i e* He said* &ir$ yo" #"st be a geni"s to ha,e s" eeded in #a!ing s" h 'erfe t re'rod" tions of yo"rself* Ho(e,er$ 1 ha,e dis o,ered a fla( in yo"r (or!$ +"st one tiny little fla(*% A (o#an ste''ed o"t of her sho(er star! na!ed and (as abo"t to rea h for her to(el (hen she sa($ to her horror$ that there (as a #an on a s affolding (ashing her (indo( and eyeing her a''re iati,ely* &o sho !ed (as she by the "ne@'e ted a''arition that she stood transfi@ed to the gro"nd$ ga'ing at the #an* -hats the #atter$ lady/% the fello( as!ed heerf"lly Ha,e yo" ne,er seen a (indo( leaner before/% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ

There (as on e a s ientist (ho dis o,ered the art of re'rod" ing hi#self so 'erfe tly that it (as i#'ossible to tell the re'rod" tion fro# the original* One day he learnt that the Angel of >eath (as sear hing for hi# so he 'rod" ed a do6en o'ies of hi#self* The Angel (as at a loss to !no( (hi h of the thirteen s'e i#ens before hi# (as the s ientist$ so he left the# all alone and ret"rned to hea,en* A"t not for long$ for$ being an e@'ert in h"#an nat"re$ the angel a#e "' (ith a le,er de,i e* He said* &ir$ yo" #"st be a geni"s to ha,e s" eeded in #a!ing s" h 'erfe t re'rod" tions of yo"rself* Ho(e,er$ 1 ha,e dis o,ered a fla( in yo"r (or!$ +"st one tiny little fla(*% The s ientist i##ediately +"#'ed o"t and sho"ted* 1#'ossible* -here is the fla(/% Right here$% said the angel$ as he 'i !ed "' the s ientist fro# a#ong the re'rod" tions and arried hi# off* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ There (as an old Arab +"dge (ho (as !no(n for his saga ity* One day a sho'!ee'er a#e to hi# to o#'lain that goods fro# his sho' (ere being stolen b"t he (as "nable to at h the thief* The +"dge o##anded the door of the sho' to be ta!en off its hinges$ arried to the #ar!et)'la e and gi,en fifty lashes be a"se it had failed to do its d"ty of !ee'ing the thief o"t of the store* A large ro(d olle ted to see this strange senten e being arried o"t* -hen the lashes had been ad#inistered$ the +"dge stoo'ed and as!ed the door (ho the thief (as* Then he a''lied his ear to the door$ the better to hear (hat it had to say* -hen he stood "' he anno"n ed* The door de lares that the b"rglaries ha,e been o##itted by a #an (ho has a ob(eb on the to' of his t"rban*% 1nstantly the hand of the one #an in the ro(d (ent "' to his t"rban* His ho"se (as sear hed and the stolen goods re o,ered* All it ta!es is a (ord of flattery or riti is# to "n o,er the ego* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ An old (o#an died and (as ta!en to the 4"dg#ent &eat by the angels* -hile e@a#ining her re ords ho(e,er$ the 4"dge o"ld not find a single a t of harity 'erfor#ed by her e@ e't for a arrot she had on e gi,en to a star,ing beggar* &" h$ ho(e,er$ is the 'o(er of a single deed of lo,e that it (as de reed that she be ta!en "' to hea,en on the strength of that arrot* The arrot (as bro"ght to o"rt and gi,en to her* The #o#ent she a"ght hold of it$ it began to rise as if '"lled by so#e in,isible string$ lifting her "' to(ards the s!y* A beggar a''eared* He l"t hed on to the he# of her gar#ent and (as lifted along (ith her2 a third 'erson a"ght hold of the beggars foot and (as lifted too* &oon there (as a long line of 'ersons being lifted "' to hea,en by that arrot* And$ strange as it #ay see#$ the (o#an did not feel the (eight of all those 'eo'le (ho held on to her2 in fa t$ sin e she (as loo!ing hea,en(ard$ she did not see the#* Higher and higher they rose "ntil they (ere al#ost near the hea,enly gates* That is (hen the (o#an loo!ed ba ! to at h a last gli#'se of the earth and sa( this (hole train of 'eo'le behind her* &he (as indignantH &he ga,e an i#'erio"s (a,e of her hand and sho"ted$ OffH Off all of yo"H This arrot is #ineH% 1n #a!ing her i#'erio"s gest"re she let go of the arrot for a #o#ent)and do(n she fell (ith the entire train* There is only one a"se for e,ery e,il on earth3 This belongs to #e% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A (ood ar,er alled 5hing had +"st finished (or! on a bell)fra#e* E,eryone (ho sa( it #ar,elled for it see#ed to be the (or! of s'irits* -hen the >"!e of ?" sa( it$

he as!ed$ -hat sort of geni"s is yo"rs that yo" o"ld #a!e s" h a thing/% The (ood ar,er re'lied* &ire* 1 a# only a si#'le (or!#an* 1 a# no geni"s* A"t there is one thing* -hen 1 a# going to #a!e a bell)fra#e 1 #editate for three days to al# #y #ind* -hen 1 ha,e #editated for three days 1 thin! no #ore abo"t re(ards or e#ol"#ents* -hen 1 ha,e #editated for fi,e days 1 no longer thin! of 'raise or bla#e$ s!illf"lness or a(!(ardness* -hen 1 ha,e #editated for se,en days 1 s"ddenly forget #y li#bs$ #y body2 no* 1 forget #y ,ery self* 1 lose ons io"sness of the o"rt and #y s"rro"ndings* Only #y s!ill re#ains* 1n that state 1 (al! into the forest and e@a#ine ea h tree "ntil 1 find one in (hi h 1 see the bell)fra#e in all its 'erfe tion* Then #y hands go to the tas!* Ha,ing set #y self aside$ nat"re #eets nat"re in the (or! that is 'erfor#ed thro"gh #e* This no do"bt is the reason (hy e,eryone says that the finished 'rod" t is the (or! of s'irits*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ &aid a (orld fa#o"s ,iolinist abo"t his s" ess in 'laying Aeetho,ens 0iolin 5on erto3 1 ha,e s'lendid #"si $ a s'lendid ,iolin and a s'lendid bo(* All 1 need to do is bring the# together and get o"t of the (ay*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A dis i'le a#e to Mar"f Iar!hi$ the M"sli# Master$ and said$ 1 ha,e been tal!ing to 'eo'le abo"t yo"* The 4e(s say yo" are one of their o(n* The 5hristians onsider yo" to be one of their saints* And the M"sli#s loo! "'on yo" as a glory to 1sla#*% Mar"f re'lied$ Thats (hat they say here in Aaghdad* -hen 1 li,ed in 4er"sale# the 4e(s d"bbed #e a 5hristian2 the 5hristians$ a M"sli#2 and the M"sli#s$ a 4e(*% Then (hat are (e to thin! of yo"/% Thin! of #e as a #an (ho said this abo"t hi#self3 Those (ho do not "nderstand #e re,ere #e* Those (ho re,ile #e do not "nderstand #e either*% 1f yo" thin! yo" are (hat yo"r friends and ene#ies say yo" are$ yo" ob,io"sly do not !no( yo"rself* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A (o#an in a o#a (as dying* &he s"ddenly had a feeling that she (as ta!en "' to hea,en and stood before the 4"dge#ent &eat* -ho are yo"/% a 0oi e said to her* 1# the (ife of the #ayor*% she re'lied* 1 did not as! yo" (hose (ife yo" are b"t (ho yo" are*% 1# the #other of fo"r hildren*% 1 did not as! (hose #other yo" are$ b"t (ho yo" are*% 1# a s hooltea her*% 1 did not as! yo" (hat yo"r 'rofession is b"t (ho yo" are*% And so it (ent* No #atter (hat she re'lied$ she did not see# to gi,e a satisfa tory ans(er to the E"estion$ -ho are yo"/% 1# a 5hristian*% 1 did not as! (hat yo"r religion is b"t (ho yo" are*% 1# the one (ho (ent to h"r h e,ery day and al(ays hel'ed the 'oor and needy*% 1 did not as! yo" (hat yo" did b"t (ho yo" are*% &he e,idently failed the e@a#ination for she (as sent ba ! to earth* -hen she re o,ered fro# her illness she deter#ined to find o"t (ho she (as* And that #ade all the differen e* Yo"r d"ty is to be* Not to be so#ebody$ not to be nobody )for therein lies greed and a#bition )not to be this or that ) and th"s be o#e onditioned)b"t +"st to be* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A (orried loo!ing fello( (al!s into the 'sy hiatrists offi e s#o!ing 'ot and (earing lo,e)beads$ bell)botto# tro"sers frayed at the ends and sho"lder)length

hair* The 'sy hiatrist says$ Yo" lai# yo" are not a hi''ie* Then ho( do yo" e@'lain the lothes$ the hair the 'ot/% Thats (hat 1# here to find o"t$ do tor*% To !no( things is to be learned* To !no( others is to be (ise* To !no( the self is to be enlightened* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A st"dent (al!ed "' to the ler! at the lang"age laboratory and said* May 1 ha,e a blan! ta'e$ 'lease/% -hat lang"age are yo" st"dying/% as!ed the ler!* Fren h*% said the st"dent* &orry$ (e dont ha,e any blan! ta'es in Fren h*% -ell$ do yo" ha,e any blan! ta'es in English/% Yes$ (e do*% Good* 1ll ta!e one of those*% 1t #a!es as #" h sense to s'ea! of a blan! ta'e as being Fren h or English as it does to s'ea! of a 'erson as being Fren h or English* Fren h or English is yo"r onditioning$ not yo"* A baby born of A#eri an 'arents and ado'ted by R"ssian 'arents3 has no notion he has been ado'ted and gro(s "' to be a great 'atriot and 'oet (ho gi,es e@'ression to the olle ti,e "n ons io"s of the R"ssian so"l and the as'irations of Mother R"ssia3 is he R"ssian/ A#eri an/ Neither* Find o"t (hoG(hat yo" are* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ -hat is that door doing "nder yo"r ar#/% 1ts the front door of #y ho"se* 1 lost the !ey$ and a# ta!ing it to ha,e a fresh !ey #ade*% Ma!e s"re yo" dont lose the door no($ or yo" (ont be able to enter yo"r ho"se*% -ell$ 1 left a (indo( o'en +"st to be on the safe side*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ The Men Master$ Aan!ei$ is said to ha,e fo"nded no s hool* He left no (or!s and no dis i'les* He (as li!e a bird that lea,es no tra e of its flight a ross the s!y* Of hi# it (as said$ -hen he entered the forest not a blade of grass stirred2 (hen he entered the (ater not a ri''le (as #ade*% He did not en "#ber the earth* No feat of daring$ no onE"est or a o#'lish#ent or s'irit"ality is to be o#'ared (ith this3 not to en "#ber the earth A #an a#e to A"ddha (ith an offering of flo(ers in his hands* A"ddha loo!ed "' at hi# and said$ >ro' itH% He o"ldnt belie,e he (as being as!ed to dro' the flo(ers* A"t then it o "rred to hi# that he (as 'robably being in,ited to dro' the flo(ers he had in his left hand$ sin e to offer so#ething (ith ones left hand (as onsidered ina"s'i io"s and i#'olite* &o he dro''ed the flo(ers that his left hand held* &till A"ddha said* >ro' itH% Per'le@ed$ the #an as!ed$ -hat is it 1 a# s"''osed to dro'/% Not the flo(ers$ son b"t the one (ho bro"ght the#*% (as A"ddhas re'ly* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ There (as a G"r" (ho (as loo!ed "'on by all as -isdo# 1n arnate* Ea h day he (o"ld dis o"rse on ,ario"s as'e ts of the s'irit"al life and it (as ob,io"s to all that ne,er had anyone s"r'assed this #an for the ,ariety$ the de'th and the enti ing E"ality of his tea hing* Again and again his dis i'les (o"ld as! hi# abo"t the so"r e fro# (hi h he dre( this ine@ha"stible store of (isdo#* He told the# it (as all (ritten do(n in a boo! that they (o"ld inherit after he (as dead*

The day after his death$ the dis i'les fo"nd the boo! e@a tly (here he told the# it (o"ld be* There (as only one 'age in that boo! and only one senten e on that 'age* 1t read3 Understand the differen e bet(een the ontainer and the ontent and the fo"nt of -isdo# shall be o'en to yo"*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A tale fro# the U'anishads3 The sage Uddala!a ta"ght his son &,eta!et" to see the One behind the a''earan e of the #any* He did this by #eans of se,eral 'arables li!e the one that follo(s3 One day he said to his son$ P"t this salt in (ater and o#e ba ! to #e in the #orning*% The boy did as he (as told and the ne@t day his father said$ Please bring #e the salt yo" '"t in the (ater yesterday*% 1 annot find it$% said the boy* 1t has dissol,ed*% Taste the (ater fro# this side of the dish$% said Uddala!a* -hat taste does it ha,e/% &alt*% &i' it in the #iddle* -hat is it li!e/% &alt*% &i' it fro# the other side of the dish* -hat is it li!e/ The boy did so and obser,ed that after the (ater had e,a'orated the salt rea''eared* Then Uddala!a said* Yo" annot 'er ei,e God here$ #y son b"t in fa t he is here*% Those (ho see! for enlighten#ent fail to find it for they +ail to "nderstand that the ob+e t of the sear h is the see!er* God$ li!e bea"ty$ is in the 1 of the beholder* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ ?O0E My friend isnt ba ! fro# the battlefield$ sir* ReE"est 'er#ission to go o"t and get hi#*% Per#ission ref"sed$% said the offi er* 1 dont (ant yo" to ris! yo"r life for a #an (ho is 'robably dead* The soldier (ent$ all the sa#e$ and$ an ho"r later a#e ba ! #ortally (o"nded$ arrying the or'se of his friend* The offi er (as f"rio"s* 1 told yo" he (as dead* No( 1,e lost both of yo"* Tell #e2 (as it (orth going o"t there to bring in a or'se/% The dying #an re'lied$ Oh$ it (as$ sir* -hen 1 got to hi# he (as still ali,e* And he said to #e$ .4a !$ 1 (as s"re yo"d o#e*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A little girl (as dying of a disease fro# (hi h her eight)year)old brother had re o,ered so#e ti#e before* The do tor said to the boy$ Only a transf"sion of yo"r blood (ill sa,e the life of yo"r sister* Are yo" ready to gi,e her yo"r blood/% The eyes of the boy (idened in fear* He hesitated for a (hile$ then finally said$ OI$ do tor* 1ll do it*% An ho"r after the transf"sion (as o#'leted the boy as!ed hesitantly$ &ay$ do tor$ (hen do 1 die/% 1t (as only then that the do tor "nderstood the #o#entary fear that had sei6ed the hild3 he tho"ght that in gi,ing his blood he (as gi,ing his life for his sister* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A dis i'le ,ery #" h (anted to reno"n e the (orld b"t he lai#ed that his fa#ily lo,ed hi# too #" h to let hi# go ?o,e/% said his g"r"* That isnt lo,e at all* ?isten***% And he re,ealed a yogi se ret to the dis i'le (hereby he o"ld si#"late the state of death* The ne@t day

the #an (as dead to all o"t(ard a''earan es and the ho"se rang (ith the ries and (ailing of his fa#ily* The g"r" then sho(ed "' and told the (ee'ing fa#ily that he had the 'o(er to bring the #an ba ! to life if so#eone o"ld be fo"nd to die in his 'la e* Any ,ol"nteers/ To the or'ses% astonish#ent e,ery #e#ber of the fa#ily began to bring forth reasons (hy it (as ne essary to !ee' their o(n li,es* His (ife s"##ed "' the senti#ents of all (ith the (ords$ Theres really no need for anyone to ta!e his 'la e* -ell #anage (itho"t hi#* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ Three gro(n)"'s (ere ha,ing #orning offee in the !it hen (hile the hildren 'layed on the floor* The on,ersation t"rned on (hat they (o"ld do if danger threatened and ea h of the gro(n)"'s said that the first thing they (o"ld do (as sa,e the hildren* &"ddenly the safety ,al,e of the 'ress"re oo!er b"rst$ reating an e@'losion of stea# in the roo#* -ithin se onds e,eryone (as o"t of the !it hen)e@ e't for the !ids 'laying on the floor* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ At the f"neral of a ,ery (ealthy #an a stranger (as seen #o"rning and (ee'ing as lo"dly as the others* The offi iating 'riest (al!ed "' to hi# and as!ed* Are yo" 'erha's$ a relati,e of the de eased/% No*% Then (hy are yo" rying/% Thats (hy*% Alt grief)no #atter (hat the o asion )is for the self* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ -hen a fa tory (as b"rning do(n$ the aged o(ner of the b"ilding (as there (ee'ing alo"d at his loss* >ad$ (hat are yo" (ee'ing for/% said his son$ Ha,e yo" forgotten that (e sold the fa tory fo"r days ago/% That instantly sto''ed the old #ans tears* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A sales(o#an sold a brightly olo"red 'air of tro"sers to a lad (ho see#ed delighted (ith his '"r hase* The ne@t day he (as ba ! to say he (anted to ret"rn the tro"sers* His reason$ My girlfriend does not li!e the#*% A (ee! later he (as ba ! again$ all s#iles$ and (anting to b"y the tro"sers* Has yo"r girl hanged her #ind/% as!ed the sales(o#an* No'e$% said the yo"ng fello(* 1,e hanged the girl* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ Mother3 -hat does yo"r girlfriend li!e in yo"*% &he thin!s 1# handso#e$ talented$ le,er and a good dan er*% And (hat do yo" li!e abo"t her/% &he thin!s 1# handso#e$ talented$ le,er and a good dan er*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ T(o (o#en friends #et after #any years* Tell #e$% said one$ -hat ha''ened to yo"r son/% My son/ The 'oor$ 'oor ladH% sighed the other* -hat an "nfort"nate #arriage he #ade)to a girl (ho (ont do a stit h of (or! in the ho"se* &he (ont oo!$ she (ont se($ she (ont (ash or lean* All she does is slee' and loaf and read in bed* The 'oor boy e,en has to bring her brea!fast in bed$ (o"ld yo" belie,e it/%

Thats a(f"lH And (hat abo"t yo"r da"ghter/% Ah)no( shes the l" !y oneH &he #arried an angel* He (ont let her do a thing in the ho"se* He has ser,ants to do the oo!ing and se(ing and (ashing and leaning* And ea h #orning he brings her brea!fast in bed$ (o"ld yo" belie,e it/ All she does is slee' for as long as she (ishes and s'ends the rest of the day rela@ing and reading in bed*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ >o yo" thin! yo" (ill be able to gi,e #y da"ghter (hat she (ants/% a #an as!ed a s"itor* 1 ertainly do$ sir* &he says that all she (ants is #e*% No one (o"ld all it lo,e if (hat she (anted (as #oney* -hy it is lo,e if (hat she (ants is yo"/ JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ -hen Robert$ a fo"rteen)year)old lad fell in lo,e (ith his fo"rteen)year)old neighbo"r$ he sold off e,erything he had and e,en too! on odd +obs to earn eno"gh #oney to b"y his s(eetheart the e@'ensi,e (at h she (anted* His 'arents (ere dis#ayed b"t de ided it (as best to say nothing* The day for the '"r hase arri,ed and Robert ret"rned fro# his sho''ing e@'edition (itho"t s'ending his #oney* This is the e@'lanation he ga,e3 1 too! her to the +e(ellers and she said she didnt (ant the (at h after all* &he fan ied other things #ore$ li!e a bra elet$ a ne !la e$ a gold ring* -hile she (as #o,ing aro"nd the sho' #a!ing "' her #ind 1 re#e#bered (hat o"r tea her on e told "s$ that before getting so#ething (e #"st as! o"rsel,es (hat (e (anted it for* Thats (hen 1 reali6ed that 1 did not really (ant her after all$ so 1 (al!ed o"t of the sho' and a#e a(ay*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A little boy (as heartbro!en to find his 'et t"rtle lying on its ba !$ lifeless and still$ beside the 'ond* His father did his best to onsole hi#3 >ont ry son* -ell arrange a lo,ely f"neral for Mr* T"rtle* -ell #a!e hi# a little offin all lined in sil! and get the "nderta!er to #a!e a headstone for his gra,e$ (ith Mr* T"rtles na#e ar,ed on it* Then (ell ha,e fresh flo(ers 'la ed on the gra,e ea h day and #a!e a little 'i !et fen e to go all aro"nd it*% The little boy dried his eyes and be a#e enth"siasti abo"t the 'ro+e t* -hen all (as ready the ortege (as for#ed)father$ #other$ #aid and hild hief #o"rner)and began to #o,e sole#nly to(ards the 'ond to bring in the body* A"t the body had ,anished* &"ddenly they s'ied Mr* T"rtle e#erging fro# the de'ths of the 'ond and s(i##ing aro"nd #errily* The little boy stared at his friend in bitter disa''oint#ent then said* ?ets !ill hi#*% 1t isnt really yo" 1 are abo"t b"t the thrill 1 get fro# lo,ing yo"* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A n"n in sear h of enlighten#ent #ade a (ooden stat"e of A"ddha and o,ered it (ith a fine gold leaf* 1t (as ,ery 'retty and e,ery(here she (ent she arried it (ith her* Years 'assed and$ still arrying her stat"e$ the n"n settled do(n in a s#all te#'le (here there (ere #any stat"es of A"ddha$ ea h (ith its o(n altar* &he began to b"rn in ense before her golden A"ddha ea h day b"t dis o,ered$ to her dis#ay$ that so#e of the s#o!e (andered off to the neighbo"ring altars* &o she #ade a 'a'er f"nnel thro"gh (hi h the s#o!e (o"ld as end to her A"ddha* This bla !ened the nose of the golden stat"e and #ade it ,ery "gly* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ

Fredri h -ilhel# (ho r"led Pr"ssia in the early eighteenth ent"ry (as !no(n to be a short)te#'ered #an* He also detested ere#ony* He (o"ld (al! the streets of Aerlin "na o#'anied and if anyone ha''ened to dis'lease hi#)a not infreE"ent o "rren e)he (o"ld not hesitate to "se his (al!ing sti ! on the ha'less ,i ti#* Not s"r'risingly (hen 'eo'le sa( hi# at a distan e they (o"ld E"ietly lea,e the ,i inity* On e Fredri h a#e 'o"nding do(n a street (hen a Aerliner a"ght sight of hi#)b"t too late$ so his atte#'t to (ithdra( into a door(ay (as foiled* Yo" thereH% said Fredri h* -here are yo" going/% The #an began to sha!e* 1nto this ho"se$ yo"r Ma+esty*% 1s it yo"r ho"se/% No$ yo"r Ma+esty*% A friends ho"se/% No$ yo"r Ma+esty*% -hy are yo" entering it/% The #an no( began to fear that he (o"ld be ta!en for a b"rglar* &o he bl"rted o"t the tr"th* To a,oid yo"r Ma+esty*% -hy (o"ld yo" (ish to a,oid #e/% Ae a"se 1 a# afraid of yo"r Ma+esty* At this Fredri h -ilhel# be a#e li,ed (ith rage* &ei6ing the 'oor #an by the sho"lders he shoo! hi# ,iolently rying$ Ho( dare yo" fear #eH 1 a# yo"r r"ler* Yo" are s"''osed to lo,e #eH ?o,e #e$ (ret hH ?o,e #eH% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A #assi,ely b"ilt (o#an strode into the registrars offi e$ sla##ing the door sh"t behind her* >id yo" or did yo" not iss"e this li en e for #e to #arry 4a ob 4a obson/% she said$ sla##ing the do "#ent on the table* The registrar ins'e ted the do "#ent losely thro"gh his thi ! glasses* Yes* #aa#$ 1 belie,e 1 did* -hy/% Ae a"se$% said the (o#an$ hes es a'ed* -hat are yo" going to do abo"t it/% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ After a heated arg"#ent (ith his (ife a #an said$ -hy ant (e li,e 'ea ef"lly li!e o"r t(o dogs (ho ne,er fight/% No$ they dont$% his (ife agreed* A"t tie the# together and see (hat ha''ensH% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ An Arabian 'rin ess had set her heart on #arrying one of her sla,es* Nothing the !ing said or did s" eeded in #o,ing the girl fro# her resol,e* And none of the !ings ad,isers o"ld tell hi# (hat to do* Finally a (ise old ha!i# a''eared at o"rt and$ on hearing of the !ings 'redi a#ent$ said* Yo"r Ma+esty is ill ad,ised for if yo" forbid the girl to #arry she (ill only resent yo" and be #ore attra ted to the sla,e*% Then tell #e (hat to do$% ried the !ing* The ha!i# s"ggested a 'lan of a tion* The !ing (as s e'ti al b"t de ided to gi,e it a try* He sent for the yo"ng (o#an and said$ 1 a# going to '"t yo"r lo,e for this #an to the test3 yo" (ill be lo !ed "' in a tiny ell (ith yo"r lo,er for thirty days and nights* 1f at the end of that 'eriod yo" still (ish to #arry hi#* yo" shall ha,e #y onsent*% The 'rin ess$ beside herself (ith +oy h"gged her father and delightedly agreed to the test* All (ent (ell for a o"'le of days b"t boredo# soon set in* -ithin a (ee! she (as 'ining for other o#'any and e@as'erated at her lo,ers e,ery (ord and a tion* After t(o (ee!s she (as so si ! of the #an she too! to s rea#ing and 'o"nding on the door of the ell* -hen she (as finally let o"t she fl"ng her ar#s aro"nd her father in gratit"de for ha,ing sa,ed her fro# the #an she had no( o#e to abhor* ?i,ing a'art #a!es li,ing together easier* -itho"t distan e one annot relate* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ

A tea her obser,ed that one of the little boys in her lass (as 'ensi,e and (ithdra(n* -hat are yo" (orried abo"t/% she as!ed* My 'arents$% he re'lied* .>ad (or!s all day to !ee' #e lothed and fed and sent to the best s hool in to(n* And hes (or!ing o,erti#e to be able to send #e to ollege* Mo# s'ends all day oo!ing and leaning and ironing and sho''ing so 1 ha,e nothing to (orry abo"t$% -hy$ then$ are yo" (orried/% 1# afraid they #ight try to es a'e*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A &"nday s hool tea her told her hildren she (as going to (rite their na#es on the bla !board* After ea h na#e she (o"ld (rite the one thing that 'arti "lar hild (as the #ost gratef"l for* One little boy (as thin!ing hard (hen his na#e (ent on the board* -hen he (as as!ed (hat sho"ld go after his na#e$ he finally said$ Mother*% &o thats (hat the tea her (rote* &he (as starting to (rite the ne@t na#e (hen the boy began to (a,e his hand franti ally Yes/% said the tea her* Please an el MOTHER$% said the little boy$ and (rite >OG*% -hy not/ JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A #an offered to 'ay a s"# of #oney to his t(el,e)year)old da"ghter if she #o(ed the la(n* The girl (ent at the tas! (ith great 6est and by e,ening the (hole la(n had been bea"tif"lly #o(ed)(ell$ e,erything e@ e't a large "n "t 'at h of grass in one orner* -hen the #an said he o"ldnt 'ay the s"# agreed "'on be a"se the (hole la(n hadnt been #o(ed$ the girl said she (as ready to forego the #oney$ b"t (o"ld not "t the grass in the 'at h* 5"rio"s to find o"t (hy$ he he !ed the "n "t 'at h* There$ right in the entre of the 'at h$ sat a large toad* The girl had been too tender)hearted to r"n o,er it (ith the la(n)#o(er* -here there is lo,e$ there is disorder* Perfe t order (o"ld #a!e the (orld a gra,eyard* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A s#all ro(d olle ted aro"nd the s'ea!er at a street orner* 5o#e the re,ol"tion$% he (as saying$ e,eryone (ill dri,e aro"nd in big bla ! li#o"sines* 5o#e the re,ol"tion$ e,eryone (ill ha,e a tele'hone in the !it hen* 5o#e the re,ol"tion e,eryone (ill 'ossess a 'lot of land they an all their o(n*% A ,oi e fro# the ro(d 'rotested$ 1 dont (ant to o(n a big bla ! li#o"sine or a 'lot of land or a 'hone in the !it hen*% 5o#e the re,ol"tion$% said the s'ea!er$ yo"ll do as yo"re da#ned (ell told*% 1f yo" (ant a 'erfe t (orld$ get rid of the 'eo'le* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ One day Abraha# in,ited a beggar to his tent for a #eal* -hen gra e (as being said the #an began to "rse God$ de laring he o"ld not bear to hear His Na#e* &ei6ed (ith indignation$ Abraha# dro,e the blas'he#er a(ay* -hen he (as at his 'rayers that night$ God said to hi#$ This #an has "rsed and re,iled #e for fifty years and yet 1 ha,e gi,en hi# food to eat e,ery day* 5o"ld yo" not '"t "' (ith hi# for a single #eal/% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ An old (o#an in the ,illage (as said to be re ei,ing di,ine a''aritions* The lo al 'riest de#anded 'roof of their a"thenti ity* -hen God ne@t a''ears to yo"$% he said$ as! Hi# to tell yo" #y sins (hi h are !no(n to Hi# alone* That sho"ld be

e,iden e eno"gh*% The (o#an ret"rned a #onth later and the 'riest as!ed if God had a''eared to her again* &he said He bad* >id yo" '"t the E"estion to hi#/% And (hat did He say/% He said* Tell yo"r 'riest 1 ha,e forgotten his sins* Gs if 'ossible that alt of the horrible things yo" ha,e done ha,e been forgotten by e,eryone e@ e't yo"rself/ JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ On e so#e of the elders (ere in & ete and Abbot 4ohn the >(arf (as (ith the#* -hile they (ere dining$ a 'riest$ a ,ery old #an$ got "' and atte#'ted to ser,e the#* A"t no one (o"ld ta!e so #" h as a "' of (ater fro# hi# e@ e't 4ohn the >(arf* The others (ere so#e(hat sho !ed abo"t this and later said to hi#$ Ho( is it that yo" onsidered yo"rself (orthy to a e't the ser,i e of that holy #an/% He re'lied$ -ell$ (hen 1 offer 'eo'le a drin! of (ater 1# ha''y if they ta!e it* >id yo" e@'e t #e to sadden the old #an by de'ri,ing hi# of the +oy of gi,ing #e so#ething/% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ -hen an eight)year)old girl s'ent her 'o !et #oney to b"y her #other a gift$ her #other (as gratef"l and ha''y for a #other and ho"se)(ife generally gets #" h (or! and little a''re iation* The girl see#ed to ha,e "nderstood this for she said$ 1ts be a"se yo" (or! so hard$ #other$ and no one a''re iates it*% The (o#an said$ Yo"r father (or!s hard too*% &aid the girl$ Yes$ b"t he doesnt #a!e a f"ss abo"t it*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ An old 'ilgri# (as #a!ing his (ay to the Hi#alayan Mo"ntains in the bitter old of (inter (hen it began to ra#* An inn!ee'er said to hi#$ Ho( (ill yo" e,er get there in this !ind of (eather$ #y good #an/% The old #an ans(ered heerf"lly$ My heart got there first$ so its easy for the rest of #e to follo(*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ 4ere#iah (as in lo,e (ith a ,ery tall (o#an* Ea h night he (o"ld (al! her ho#e fro# (or! and ea h night he longed to !iss her b"t (as too shy to as!* One night he s"##oned "' the o"rage* -ill yo" let #e !iss yo"/% &he (as agreeable* A"t 4ere#iah (as e@ e'tionally s#all in stat"re$ so they loo!ed aro"nd for so#ething he o"ld stand on* They fo"nd an abandoned s#ithy (ith an an,il in it that ga,e 4ere#iah +"st the height he needed* After they had (al!ed on for half a #ile or so$ 4ere#iah said* 5o"ld 1 ha,e +"st one #ore !iss$ darling/% No$% said the (o#an* 1,e gi,en yo" one* Thats eno"gh for tonight*% 4ere#iah said$ Then (hy didnt yo" sto' #e fro# arrying this da#ned an,il/% ?o,e bears a b"rden and feels no b"rdenH JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A 5ali'h of Aaghdad na#ed Al)Ma#"n o(ned a bea"tif"l Arabian horse* A tribes#an alled O#ah (as eager to b"y the horse so he offered #any a#els in e@ hange for it$ b"t Al)Ma#"n (o"ld not 'art (ith the ani#al* This so angered O#ah that he de ided to get the horse by tri !ery* Ino(ing that Al)Ma#"n (o"ld ride his horse along a ertain road$ he lay do(n beside the road disg"ised as a beggar (ho (as ,ery ill* No( Al)Ma#"n (as a !ind)

hearted #an so (hen he sa( the beggar he felt sorry for hi#$ dis#o"nted and offered to arry hi# to a sarai* AlasH% ried the beggar$ 1 ha,e been (itho"t food for days and do not ha,e the energy to rise*% &o Al)Ma#"n tenderly lifted the #an on to his horse #eaning to #o"nt after hi#* No sooner (as the disg"ised beggar in the saddle than he gallo'ed a(ay (ith Al)Ma#"n gi,ing hase on foot$ sho"ting to hi# to sto'* After O#ah had '"t a safe distan e bet(een his '"rs"er and hi#self he sto''ed and t"rned aro"nd* Yo" ha,e stolen #y horse$?sho"ted Al)Ma#"n* 1 ha,e one reE"est to #a!e of yo"*% -hat is it/% O#ah sho"ted ba !* That yo" tell no one ho( yo" a#e into 'ossession of the horse*% -hy not/% Ae a"se so#e day a #an (ho is really ill #ay be lying by the roadside and$ if yo"r tri ! is !no(n$ 'eo'le (ill 'ass hi# by and fail to hel' hi#*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ 1t (as ti#e for the #onsoon rains to begin and a ,ery old #an (as digging holes in his garden* -hat are yo" doing/% his neighbo"r as!ed* Planting #ango trees$% (as the re'ly* >o yo" e@'e t to eat #angoes fro# those trees/% No$ 1 (ont li,e long eno"gh for that* A"t others (ill* 1t o "rred to #e the other day that all #y life 1 ha,e en+oyed #angoes 'lanted by other 'eo'le* This is #y (ay of sho(ing the# #y gratit"de*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ >iogenes (as standing at a street orner one day la"ghing li!e a #an o"t of his #ind* -hat are yo" la"ghing abo"t/% a 'asser)by as!ed* >o yo" see that stone in the #iddle of the street/ &in e 1 got here this #orning ten 'eo'le ha,e st"#bled on it and "rsed it* A"t not one of the# too! the tro"ble to re#o,e it so others (o"ldnt st"#ble*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A g"r" as!ed his dis i'les ho( they o"ld tell (hen the night had ended and the day beg"n* One said$ -hen yo" see an ani#al in the distan e and an tell (hether it is a o( or a horse No*) said the g"r"* -hen yo" loo! at a tree in the distan e and an tell if it is a nee# tree or a #ango tree*% -rong again*% said the g"r"* -ell then$ (hat is it/% as!ed the dis i'les* -hen yo" loo! into the fa e of any #an and re ogni6e yo"r brother in hi#2 (hen yo" loo! into the fa e of any (o#an and re ogni6e in her yo"r sister* 1f yo" annot do this$ no #atter (hat ti#e it is by the s"n it is still night*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A friend a#e to the fa#o"s essayist 5harles ?a#b and said* 1 (ant to introd" e yo" to Mr &o)and)so*% No$ than! yo"*% said ?a#b* 1 dont li!e the #an*% A"t yo" dont e,en !no( hi#H% 1 !no(* That is (hy 1 dont li!e hi#*% said ?a#b -hen it o#es to 'eo'le$ 1 !no( (hat 1 li!e*% Yo" #ean yo" li!e (hat yo" !no(H% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ 1t intrig"ed the ongregation to see their rabbi disa''ear ea h (ee! on the e,e of the &abbath* They s"s'e ted he (as se retly #eeting the Al#ighty$ so they de'"ted

one of their n"#ber to follo( hi#* This is (hat the #an sa(3 the rabbi disg"ised hi#self in 'easant lothes and ser,ed a 'aralysed Gentile (o#an in her ottage$ leaning o"t the roo# and 're'aring a &abbath #eal for her* -hen the s'y got ba ! the ongregation as!ed$ -here did the rabbi go/ >id he as end to hea,en/% No*% the #an re'lied$ he (ent e,en higher*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ -hen Earl Mo"ntbatten the last 0i eroy of 1ndia anno"n ed that his ne'he($ Prin e Phili'$ (as engaged to Prin ess Eli6abeth$ Mahat#a Gandhi said to hi#* 1 a# delighted that yo"r ne'he( is going to #arry the f"t"re E"een* 1 sho"ld li!e to gi,e the# a (edding 'resent$ b"t (hat an 1 gi,e the#/ 1 ha,e nothing*% Yo" ha,e yo"r s'inning (heel$% said the 0i eroy* Get to (or! and s'in the# so#ething*% Gandhi #ade the# a table loth (hi h Mo"ntbatten sent to Prin ess Eli6abeth (ith this note3 This yo" lo ! "' (ith the ro(n +e(els *** for it (as s'"n by a #an (ho said3 The Aritish #"st de'art as friends*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ There (as an old &"fi (ho earned his li,ing by selling all sorts of odds and ends* 1t see#ed as if the #an had no +"dge#ent be a"se 'eo'le (o"ld freE"ently 'ay hi# in bad oins and he (o"ld a e't the# (itho"t a (ord of 'rotest$ or 'eo'le (o"ld lai# they had 'aid hi# (hen they hadnt and he a e'ted their (ord for it* -hen it (as ti#e for hi# to die he raised his eyes to hea,en and said* Oh* AllahH 1 ha,e a e'ted #any bad oins fro# 'eo'le$ b"t ne,er on e did 1 +"dge the# in #y heart* 1 +"st ass"#ed that they (ere not a(are of (hat they did* 1 a# a bad oin too* Please do not +"dge #e*% And a 0oi e (as heard that said$ Ho( is it 'ossible to +"dge so#eone (ho has not +"dged others/% Many an do lo,ing deeds Rare is the 'erson (ho an thin! lo,ing tho"ghts* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ The fa#ily (as gathered at dinner* The oldest boy anno"n ed he (as going to #arry the girl a ross the street* A"t her fa#ily didnt lea,e her a 'enny$% ob+e ted his father* And she hasnt sa,ed a ent$% added #other* &he doesnt !no( a thing abo"t football*% said +"nior* 1,e ne,er seen a girl (ith s" h f"nny hair$% said sister* All she does is read no,els$% said "n le* And s" h 'oor taste in the hoi e of her lothes$% said a"nt* A"t she isnt s'aring of the 'o(der and the 'aint$% said grand#a* Tr"e$% said the boy* A"t she has one s"'re#e ad,antage o,er ail of "s*% -hats that/% e,eryone (anted to !no(* &he has no fa#ilyH% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ Abbot Anastasi"s had a boo! of ,ery fine 'ar h#ent (hi h (as (orth t(enty 'en e* 1t ontained both the Old and Ne( Testa#ents in f"ll* On e a ertain #on! a#e to ,isit hi# and* seeing the boo!$ #ade off (ith it* &o that day (hen Anastasi"s (ent to his s ri't"re reading he fo"nd that it had gone and !ne( at on e that the #on! had ta!en it* A"t he did not send after hi# for fear that he #ight add the sin of 'er+"ry to that of theft* No( the #on! (ent into the ity to sell the boo!* He (anted eighteen 'en e for it* The b"yer said* Gi,e #e the boo! so that 1 #ay find o"t if it is (orth that #" h #oney*% -ith that$ he too! the boo! to the holy Anastasi"s and said$ Father$ ta!e a loo! at this and tell #e if yo" thin! it is (orth as #" h as eighteen 'en e*% Anastasi"s said$ Yes$ it is a fine boo!* And at eighteen 'en e it is a bargain*%

&o the b"yer (ent ba ! to the #on! and said* Here is yo"r #oney* 1 sho(ed the boo! to Father Anastasi"s and he said it (as (orth eighteen 'en e*% The #on! (as st"nned* -as that all he said/ >id he say nothing else/% No$ he did not say a (ord #ore than that*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ -ell$ 1 ha,e hanged #y #ind and dont (ant to sell the boo! after all Then he (ent ba ! to Anastasi"s and begged hi# (ith #any tears to ta!e the boo! ba ! b"t Anastasi"s said gently$ No* brother$ !ee' it* 1t is #y 'resent to yo"*% A"t the #on! said$ 1f yo" do not ta!e it ba ! 1 shall ha,e no 'ea e*% After that the #on! d(elt (ith Anastasi"s for the rest of his life* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ 4ito!" (as a fine 'oet and he had #ade "' his #ind to st"dy Men* &o he got hi#self an a''oint#ent (ith the Master E!!ei in Iyoto* He (ent to the Master f"ll of e@'e tations b"t as soon as he entered he re ei,ed a (ha !* He (as sho !ed and h"#iliated* Ne,er before had anyone dared to stri!e hi#* A"t sin e it (as the stri t Men r"le ne,er to say or do anything "nless in,ited by the Master$ he silently (al!ed o"t* He (ent o,er to (here >o!"on$ the hief dis i'le$ li,ed$ told hi# the (hole story and also his intention to hallenge the Master to a d"el* A"t the Master (as being !ind to yo"*% said >o!"on* Thro( yo"rself into the 'ra ti e of 6a6en and yo" (ill see that for yo"rself*% That is e@a tly (hat 4ito!" did* For three days and nights$ s" h (as the intensity of his efforts that he a hie,ed an e stati enlighten#ent E"ite beyond anything he o"ld ha,e i#agined* This satori of his (as a''ro,ed by E!!ei* On e again 4ito!" alled on >o!"on than!ed hi# for his ad,i e and said$ 1f it hadnt been for yo"r good sense 1 (o"ld ne,er ha,e had this transfor#ing e@) 'erien e* And as for the Master* 1 see no( that his blo( (asnt hard eno"ghH% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ M"so$ one of the #ost ill"strio"s Masters of his day (as tra,elling in the o#'any of a dis i'le* They a#e to a ri,er and boarded a ferry* 4"st as it (as abo"t to lea,e the shore a dr"n!en sa#"rai ran "' and +"#'ed into the o,erloaded boat$ nearly sin!ing it* Then he staggered aro"nd (ildly$ endangering the safety of the frail ,essel$ so the boat#an begged hi# to stay E"iet -ere st"ffed in here li!e gooseberries in a bottle*% said the sa#"rai ra" o"sly &"ddenly he sa( M"so and sho"ted* HereH ?ets thro( the holy #an o,erboardH% Please be 'atient*% said M"so -ell soon be a ross* -hat/ Me be 'atient/% he sho"ted (ildly ?oo!H if yo" dont +"#' off* Hll thro( yo" o,erboard this #in"te*% The Masters al# de#eano"r in the fa e of these threats so enraged the sa#"rai that he (al!ed "' to M"so and str" ! hi# a ross the fa e$ dra(ing blood* The dis i'le had had eno"gh He (as a 'o(erf"l #an and he said$ After (hat he has done$ he shall not li,e*% -hy get so "'set abo"t a trifle/% said M"so (ith a s#ile* 1t is on o asions li!e this that o"r training is '"t to the test* Yo" #"st re#e#ber that 'atien e is #ore than +"st a (ord*% Then he o#'osed a little 'oe# that ran3 The beater and the beaten3 #ere a tors in a 'lay that is as short)li,ed as a drea#*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ &e,en ra6y #en (ere in,ited to festi,ities in a neighbo"ring ,illage* More than #ildly into@i ated$ they (ere staggering ho#e to(ards their o(n ,illage at night (hen it began to rain &o they settled do(n for the night "nder a large banyan tree* -hen they (o!e "' the follo(ing #orning they rent the air (ith #o"rning and (ailing* -hats the #atter/% as!ed a 'asser)by*

?ast night$ (e h"ddled together "nder this tree and fell aslee'$ sir*% said one of the ra6y #en On (al!ing "' this #orning (e find o"r li#bs all intert(ined and (e annot disting"ish the o(ners*% Easily sol,ed$% said the tra,eller* Gi,e #e a 'in*% He +abbed the 'in shar'ly into the first leg he sa(* O" hH% said one of the #en* There*% said the tra,eller to the #an$ that leg is yo"rs*% Then he 'ri !ed an ar#* O" hH% said another$ identifying hi#self as the o(ner of the ar#* And so on till the li#bs (ere all disentangled and the ra6y #en (ent #errily ba ! to their ,illage none the (orse for their e@'erien e* -hen yo"r heart res'onds instin ti,ely to other 'eo'les +oys and sorro(s yo" (ill !no( yo" ha,e lost yo"r self and attained the e@'erien e of yo"r one)body)ness% (ith the h"#an ra e )and h"e has finally arri,ed* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ TRUTH Tr"th is not fo"nd in for#"las* A #an (as drin!ing tea (ith a friend in a resta"rant* He loo!ed long and hard at his "'$ then said (ith a resigned sigh$ Ah* #y friend$ life is li!e a "' of lea* The other 'ondered this for a (hile$ loo!ed long and hard at his o(n "'$ then as!ed$ -hy/ -hy is life li!e a "' of tea/% The #an said$ Ho( sho"ld 1 !no(/ A# 1 an intelle t"al/% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ N* or in fig"res** Prisoner at the bar$% said the +"dge$ 1 find yo" g"ilty on t(enty)three o"nts* 1 therefore senten e yo" to a total of one h"ndred and se,enty)fi,e years*% The 'risoner (as an old #an* He b"rst into tears* The +"dges fa ial e@'ression softened* 1 did not #ean to be harsh$% he said* 1 !no( the senten e 1 ha,e i#'osed is a ,ery se,ere one* Yo" dont really ha,e to ser,e the (hole of it*% The 'risoners eyes brightened (ith ho'e* Thats right$% said the +"dge* 4"st do as #" h as yo" anH% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A bisho' had de reed that (o#an ho"se!ee'ers for 'riests sho"ld be at least fifty years of age* He (as startled$ in the ,isitation of his dio ese$ to dis o,er a 'riest (ho tho"ght he (as obser,ing the la( by !ee'ing t(o ho"se!ee'ers$ ea h of (ho# (as t(enty)fi,e years of age* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ **it is not fo"nd in na#es*** -hen it (as ti#e to na#e their firstborn$ a h"sband and (ife began to E"arrel* &he (anted to na#e hi# after her father2 he (anted to na#e hi# after his* They finally had re o"rse to the rabbi to settle their dis'"te* -hat (as the na#e of yo"r father/% the rabbi as!ed the h"sband* .Abi+ah*% .And (hat (as yo"r fathers na#e/% he as!ed his (ife* .Abi+ah*% Then (hats the 'roble#/% said the onf"sed rabbi* N*or in fig"res** Prisoner at the bar$% said the +"dge$ 1 find yo" g"ilty on t(enty)three o"nts* 1 therefore senten e yo" to a total of one h"ndred and se,enty)fi,e years*% The 'risoner (as an old #an* He b"rst into tears* The +"dges fa ial e@'ression softened* 1 did not #ean to be harsh$% he said* 1 !no( the senten e 1 ha,e i#'osed is a ,ery se,ere one* Yo" dont really ha,e to ser,e the (hole of it*% The 'risoners eyes brightened (ith ho'e* Thats right$% said the +"dge* 4"st do as #" h as yo" anH%

JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A bisho' had de reed that (o#an ho"se!ee'ers for 'riests sho"ld be at least fifty years of age* He (as startled$ in the ,isitation of his dio ese$ to dis o,er a 'riest (ho tho"ght he (as obser,ing the la( by !ee'ing t(o ho"se!ee'ers$ ea h of (ho# (as t(enty)fi,e years of age* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ **it is not fo"nd in na#es*** -hen it (as ti#e to na#e their firstborn$ a h"sband and (ife began to E"arrel* &he (anted to na#e hi# after her father2 he (anted to na#e hi# after his* They finally had re o"rse to the rabbi to settle their dis'"te* -hat (as the na#e of yo"r father/% the rabbi as!ed the h"sband* .Abi+ah*% .And (hat (as yo"r fathers na#e/% he as!ed his (ife* .Abi+ah*% Then (hats the 'roble#/% said the onf"sed rabbi* Yo" see$ rabbi$% said the (o#an$ #y father (as a s holar and his father (as a horse)thief* Ho( an 1 allo( #y son to be na#ed after a #an li!e that/% The rabbi ga,e this ,ery serio"s tho"ght for the 'roble# (as indeed a deli ate one* He did not (ant one 'arty to feel it had (on and the other that it had lost* &o he finally said$ This is (hat 1 s"ggest yo" do* 5all the boy Abi+ah* Then (ait and see if he be o#es a s holar or a horse)thief$ and yo" (ill !no( after (ho# he (as na#ed*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ N*or in sy#bols 1# told yo" sold yo"r bi y le* 1 did*% Ho( #" h did yo" sell it for/% Thirty dollars*% Thats a reasonable 'ri e*% it is* A"t if 1 had !no(n that the #an (asnt going to 'ay #e 1 (o"ld ha,e harged hi#)t(i e as #" h*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ **in theories)* A #anager$ (ho had +"st ret"rned fro# a Moti,ation &e#inar$ alled an e#'loyee into his offi e and said$ Hen eforth yo" are going to be allo(ed to 'lan and ontrol yo"r +ob* That (ilt raise 'rod" ti,ity onsiderably* 1 a# s"re*% -ill 1 be 'aid #ore$% as!ed the (or!er* No* no* Money is not a #oti,ator and yo" (ill get no satisfa tion fro# a salary raise*% -ell$ if 'rod" tion does in rease$ (ill 1 be 'aid #ore/% ?oo!*% said the #anager* Yo" ob,io"sly do not "nderstand the #oti,ation theory* Ta!e this boo! ho#e and read it3 it e@'lains (hat it is that really #oti,ates yo"*% As the #an (as lea,ing$ he sto''ed and said$ 1f 1 read this boo! (ill 1 be 'aid #ore/% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A o"'le did not !no( (hat to do abo"t the +ealo"sy of their three)year)old son to(ards the ne( baby* They (ere enlightened by a Aoo! of 5hild Psy hology One day (hen the little fello( (as in a 'arti "larly bad #ood the #other said$ Ta!e this teddy bear$ son$ and sho( #e ho( yo" feel to(ards baby*% A ording to the Aoo! he (as s"''osed to '"n h and sE"ee6e the teddy bear* A"t the three)year)old grabbed the teddy bear by the leg and$ (ith ob,io"s delight$ (ent o,er to the baby and hit her on the head (ith it*

JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ N*or in (ords*** 1 long to learn s'irit"ality*% said a neighbo"r to M"lla Nasr"ddin* -o"ld yo" o#e o,er lo #y ho"se arid tal! to #e abo"t it/% Nasr"ddin did not o##it hi#self* He sa( that the #an did indeed$ ha,e a s'ar! of intelligen e abo,e the a,erage$ b"t he also reali6ed that he (as "nder the del"sion that #ysti is# an be trans#itted to another by (ord of #o"th* &o#e days later the neighbo"r alled fro# his roof* M"llah$ 1 need yo"r hel' to blo( #y fire* The e#bers are going o"t*% -hy of o"rse*% said Nasr"ddin* My breath is at yo"r dis'osal* 5o#e o,er to #y ho"se and yo" an ha,e as #" h of it as yo" an ta!e a(ay*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A ond" tor (as rehearsing (ith his or hestra and said to the tr"#'et 'layer$ 1 thin! this 'art alls for a #ore -agnerian a''roa h$ if yo" get (hat 1 #ean$ so#ething #ore asserti,e$ so to s'ea!$ #ore a ent"ated$ (ith #ore body$ #ore de'th$ #ore***% The tr"#'et 'layer interr"'ted* >o yo" (ant it lo"der$ sir/% All that the 'oor ond" tor o"ld say (as* Yes$ thats (hat 1 #eanH% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ N* in slogans*** A religio"s gro"' (as in the habit of "sing$ for its #any onferen es$ a hotel (hose #otto (as (ritten in large (ords o,er the (alls of the lobby3 THERE ARE NO PROA?EM&* ON?Y OPPORTUN1T1E&* A #an a''roa hed the hotel des! and said$ E@ "se #e* 1 ha,e a 'roble# The des! ler! said$ (ith a s#ile* -e ha,e no 'roble#s here sir* Only o''ort"nities*% 5all it (hat yo" (ant*% said the #an i#'atiently* Theres a (o#an in the roo# assigned to #e JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ N*in labels*** An English#an #igrated to the United &tates and be a#e an A#eri an iti6en* -hen he (ent ba ! to England for a ,a ation one of his relati,es re'ri#anded hi# for hanging his iti6enshi'* -hat ha,e yo" gained by be o#ing an A#eri an iti6en/% she as!ed hi#* -ell$ for one thing* 1 (in the A#eri an Re,ol"tion$ (as the ans(er* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ N*in on,entions*** -hen the R"ssian)Finnish bo"ndary line (as being redra(n a far#er (as told that the border 'assed right thro"gh the #iddle of his land* He therefore had the o'tion of ha,ing his land ta!en into R"ssia or Finland* He 'ro#ised to gi,e the #atter serio"s tho"ght2 and after so#e (ee!s anno"n ed that he (anted to li,e in Finland* A host of in ensed R"ssian offi ials des ended on hi# to e@'lain the ad,antages of belonging to R"ssia$ not Finland* The #an heard the# o"t then said* 1 a# in o#'lete agree#ent (ith e,erything yo" say* 1n fa t$ it has al(ays been #y desire to li,e in Mother R"ssia* A"t at #y age 1 si#'ly (ont be able to s"r,i,e another of those R"ssian (inters*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ N**or distin tions* A #an (as doing his Ph* > in 'hiloso'hy* His (ife realised ho( serio"sly he (as ta!ing his st"dies only on the day she said to hi#$ -hy is it yo" lo,e #e so #" h/% D"i ! as a shot he re'lied$ -hen yo" say .so #" h are yo" referring to

intensity$ de'th$ freE"en y$ E"ality or d"ration/% Ay disse ting her 'etals no one e,er gathered in the bea"ty of the rose* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ Nor is it generally fo"nd in statisti s*** Nasr"ddin (as arrested and ta!en to o"rt on the harge that he (as st"ffing horse#eat into the hi !en "tlets he ser,ed at his resta"rant* Aefore 'assing senten e the +"dge (anted to !no( in (hat 'ro'ortion he (as #i@ing horse#eat (ith hi !en flesh* Nasr"ddin said$ on oath* 1t (as fifty)fifty$ yo"r Hono"r*% After the trial a friend as!ed (hat e@a tly fifty)fifty% #eant* &aid Nasr"ddin* One horse to one hi !en*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A gro"' of a h"ndred l"#ber+a !s (or!ed in the forest for si@ #onths and t(o (o#en did their oo!ing and la"ndry for the#* At the end of that 'eriod t(o of the #en #arried the t(o (o#en* -hat the lo al ne(s'a'er said (as that t(o 'er ent of the #en #arried a h"ndred 'er ent of the (o#en* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ ***in logi *** The h"ge #an (as 're'aring to lea,e the ta,ern at ten* .-hy so early/% as!ed the bar#an* Ae a"se of the (ife*% &o yo" too are s ared of yo"r (ifeH Are yo" a #an or a #o"se/O Of one thing 1 a# absol"tely s"re3 1 a# not a #o"se* Ae a"se #y (ife is afraid of #i e*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A 'rofessor of 'hiloso'hy in Paris one day de lared hi#self the greatest #an in the (orld and 'ro eeded to 'ro,e it to his st"dents in the follo(ing fashion3 -hi h is the greatest nation on earth/% Fran e$ of o"rse$% they all de lared* And (hi h is the greatest ity in Fran e/ .Paris$ ob,io"sly*% And is not the greatest and holiest 'la e in all Paris its "ni,ersity/ And (ho an do"bt that the greatest$ the noblest de'art#ent in any "ni,ersity is its de'art#ent of 'hiloso'hy/ And$ tell #e$ (ho is the head of the 'hiloso'hy$ de'art#ent/% Yo"*% they said in hor"s* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ >o tor2 That 'ain in yo"r leg is a"sed by old age*% Patient3 >ont ta!e #e for a foolH The other leg is +"st as old*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ N*or in abstra tions*** A dis i'le said to the Men Master Hogen* -hen 1 (as &t"dying (ith #y 're,io"s Master 1 got so#e insight into (hat Men is all abo"t*% &o (hat is this insight yo" ha,e/% as!ed Hogen* -hen 1 as!ed the Master (ho A"ddha (as 7by (hi h$ of o"rse* 1 #eant Reality=$ he said* .Ping)ting o#es for fire*% That (as a fine re'ly*% said Hogen* A"t 1 fear yo" #ay ha,e got it (rong* Tell #e (hat #eaning yo" ga,e to his (ords*% -ell*% said the dis i'le$ Ping)ting is the god of fire* No( to say that the god of fire o#es for fire is as abs"rd as to ha,e #e* (hose tr"e nat"re is really A"ddha$ as! (ho the A"ddha is* Ho( an one (ho is a t"ally$ e,en tho"gh "n ons io"sly$ the A"ddha$ for#"late a E"estion regarding the A"ddha/%

Ah$ ahH% said Hogen* E@a tly (hat 1 feared* Yo"re yo" as! #e*% 0ery (ell* -ho is A"ddha/% Ping)ting o#es for fire*% said Hogen* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ

o#'letely off the #ar!* No(

The great Gensha on e in,ited a o"rt offi ial to tea* After the "sto#ary greetings the offi ial said$ 1 do not (ish to sE"ander this o''ort"nity of s'ending so#e ti#e in the 'resen e of so great a Master* Tell #e$ (hat does it #ean (hen they say that in s'ite of o"r ha,ing it in o"r daily life (e do not see it/% Gensha offered the #an a 'ie e of a!e* Then he ser,ed hi# his tea* After eating and drin!ing$ the offi ial$ thin!ing that the Master had not heard his first senten e$ re'eated the E"estion* Yes$ of o"rse*% said the Master* This is (hat it #eans3 that (e do not see it e,en tho"gh (e ha,e it in o"r daily life*% Those (ho !no($ do not say those (ho say do not !no(* The (ise are therefore silent* The le,er s'ea! )the st"'id arg"e* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ Tr"th has a (ay of hanging* A 'assenger (as o#'letely lost bet(een the de !s of a great Atlanti liner* He finally ran into a ste(ard and as!ed for hel' in finding his abin* -hat (as the n"#ber of yo"r abin$ sir/% as!ed the ste(ard* 1 o"ldnt tell yo"$ b"t 1d !no( it at on e$ be a"se it had a lightho"se o"tside the 'orthole*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ 4"dge3 -hats yo"r age*% 5on,i t3 T(enty)t(o *sir*% 4"dge3 Thats (hat yo",e been telling "s for the last ten years*% 5on,i t3 Thats right$ sir* 1# not the ty'e that says one thing today and another to#orro(*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ Old a tress3 1 really dont !no( #y age* 1J !ee's #in"te*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ hanging fro# #in"te to

1t an be relati,e* An A#eri an to"rist (as tra,elling abroad for the first ti#e* On arri,al at his first foreign air'ort he (as fa ed (ith a hoi e bet(een t(o 'assage(ays$ one of (hi h (as #ar!ed 51T1MEN& and the other A?1EN&* He 'ro#'tly headed for the first one* -hen told later that he (o"ld ha,e to stand in the other line$ he 'rotested$ A"t 1# no alien* 1# an A#eri anH% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ -hen the English 'lay(right Os ar (itnessing the first 'resentation so#eone as!ed$ Ho( did yo"r 'lay Oh$% said -ilde$ the 'lay (as a JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ -ilde arri,ed at his l"b late at night after of a 'lay that had been a o#'lete fail"re$ go tonight$ Os ar/% great s" ess* The a"dien e (as a fail"re*%

1t is on rete*** A #on! on e said to F"!ets"3 There is so#ething 1 heard yo" say on e that '"66led #e$ na#ely$ that tr"th an be o##"ni ated (itho"t s'ea!ing and (itho"t !ee'ing silent* -o"ld yo" e@'lain

this 'lease/% F"!ets" re'lied3 -hen 1 (as a lad in &o"th 5hina$ ahH ho( the birds sang a#ong the blosso#s in the s'ringti#e/% 1 thin!* Therefore 1 a# "n ons io"s At the #o#ent of tho"ght 1 (ell in the UNREA? (orld Of abstra tion or of the 'ast or of the f"t"re* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ ***yet i##eas"rable* A frog had li,ed all his life in a (ell* One day he (as s"r'rised to see another frog there* -here ha,e yo" o#e fro#/% he as!ed* Fro# the sea* Thats (here 1 li,e$% said the other* -hats the sea li!e/ 1s it big as #y (ell/% The sea frog la"ghed$ Theres no o#'arison*% he said* The (ell frog 'retended to be interested in (hat his ,isitor had to say abo"t the sea* A"t he tho"ght$ Of all the liars 1 ha,e !no(n in #y lifeti#e$ this one is "ndo"btedly the greatest)and the #ost sha#elessH% Ho( does one s'ea! of the O ean to a frog in the (ell2 or of Reality to the ideolog"e/ JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ Tr"th is really so#ething yo" do The dis i'les of Aaal &he# on e said$ Tell "s$ dear Rabbi$ ho( (e sho"ld ser,e God*% He re'lied$ Ho( sho"ld 1 !no(/%***then (ent on to tell the# the follo(ing story3 A !ing had t(o friends (ho (ere fo"nd g"ilty of ri#e and senten ed to death* No( e,en tho"gh the !ing lo,ed the# he dared not a E"it the# o"tright for fear of gi,ing a bad e@a#'le to the 'eo'le* &o this is the ,erdi t he ga,e3 A ro'e (as to be stret hed a ross a dee' has# and ea h of the t(o #en (as to (al! o,er it)to safety and freedo# or* if he fell$ to his death* The first of the t(o got a ross safely* The other sho"ted to the first a ross the has#$ Tell #e$ friend$ ho( yo" #anaged it*% The first sho"ted ba !$ Ho( sho"ld 1 !no(/ All 1 did (as this3 -hen 1 fo"nd #yself listing to one side* 1 leaned to the other*% Yo" dont learn to ride a bi y le in a lassroo#* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ ?ittle boy to the ele tri ian3 -hat e@a tly is ele tri ity/% 1 really do not !no($ son* A"t 1 an #a!e it gi,e yo" light*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A #an as!ed Aaya6id to ta!e hi# on as a dis i'le* 1f (hat yo" see! is Tr"th*% said Aaya6id* there$ are reE"ire#ents to be f"lfilled and d"ties to be dis harged*% -hat are these/% Yo" (ill ha,e to dra( (ater and ho' (ood and do the ho"se leaning and oo!ing*% 1 a# in sear h of Tr"th$ not e#'loy#ent$% said the #an$ as he (al!ed a(ay* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ &oon after the death of Rabbi Mo!she$ Rabbi Mendel of Ioty! as!ed one of his dis i'les* -hat did yo"r tea her gi,e the greatest i#'ortan e to/%

The dis i'le ga,e it a #o#ents refle tion$ and then said$ To (hate,er he ha''ened to be doing at the #o#ent*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ 1t is best e@'ressed in silen e*** Aodhidhar#a is onsidered the first Men Patriar h* He (as the #an (ho too! A"ddhis# fro# 1ndia to 5hina in the si@th ent"ry* -hen he de ided lo ret"rn ho#e$ he gathered his 5hinese dis i'les aro"nd hi# so he o"ld a''oint so#eone to s" eed hi#* He '"t their 'o(ers of 'er e'tion to the test by as!ing ea h of the# this E"estion3 -hat is tr"th/% >of"!" said3 Tr"th is (hat is beyond affir#ation and negation*% Aodhidhar#a said* Yo" ha,e #y s!in*% The n"n &o+i said* 1t is li!e Anands ,ision of A"ddhaland)gli#'sed in a flash$ on e and fore,er*% Aodhidhar#a said* Yo" ha,e #y flesh*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ >oi!" said$ The fo"r ele#ents of (ind$ (ater$ earth and fire are e#'ty* Tr"th is nothing Aodhidhar#a re'lied$ Yo" ha,e #y bones*% Finally the Master loo!ed at E!a (ho bo(ed lo( s#iled$ and re#ained silent* Aodhidhar#a said* Yo" ha,e #y #arro(*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ The fifth Men Patriar h* H"ng)+"n hose H"i)neng fro# a#ong fi,e h"ndred #on!s to be his s" essor* -hen as!ed (hy he re'lied$ The other fo"r h"ndred and ninety) nine sho(ed a 'erfe t gras' of A"ddhis#* H"i)neng alone has no "nderstanding of it (hatsoe,er* Hes the ty'e of #an that ordinary standards (ill not #eas"re* &o the #antle of a"thenti trans#ission has fallen on hi#*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ ***and alls for that #ost for#idable a o#'lish#ent of the h"#an s'irit3 an o'en #ind*** The story has it that (hen Ne( Me@i o be a#e 'art of the United &tates and the first o"rt session o'ened in the ne( state$ the 'residing +"dge (as a hardened old for#er o(boy and 1ndian fighter* He too! his 'la e on the ben h and the ase o'ened* A #an (as harged (ith horse) stealing* The ase for the 'rose "tion (as #ade2 the 'laintiff and his (itnesses (ere d"ly heard* -here"'on the attorney for the defendant stood "' and said* And no($ yo"r Hono"r$ 1 sho"ld li!e to 'resent #y lients side of the ase*% &aid the +"dge$ &it do(n* That (ont be ne essary$ (o"ld only onf"se the +"ryH% 1f yo" ha,e one (at h yo" !no( the ti#e* 1f yo" ha,e t(o (at hes yo"re ne,er s"re* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ *** and a fearless heart* There (as a lo"d !no !ing in the see!ers heart* -hos there/% as!ed the frightened see!er* 1t is 1$ Tr"th$% a#e the ans(er* >ont be ridi "lo"s$% said the see!er* Tr"th s'ea!s in silen e*% That effe ti,ely sto''ed the !no !ing)to the see!ers great relief* -hat he did not !no( (as that the !no !ing (as 'rod" ed by the fearf"l beating of his heart* The Tr"th that sets "s free is al#ost al(ays the Tr"th (e (o"ld rather not hear* &o (hen (e say so#ething isnt tr"e (hat (e all too freE"ently #ean is3 1 do not li!e it*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ 1ts larity need not be di##ed by 'oliteness* * Re+e tion sli' of a 5hinese '"blishing ho"se that ret"rns a #an"s ri't to its

a"thor3 -e ha,e 'er"sed yo"r #an"s ri't (ith e@ e'tional relish* -e fear$ ho(e,er$ that if (e (ere to '"blish yo"r o"tstanding (or!$ it (o"ld be E"ite i#'ossible for "s to e,er again '"blish another (or! that (o"ld not o#e "' to its standard* And (e annot i#agine ho( any other (or! (ill be its eE"al in the ne@t h"ndred years* &o$ to o"r dee'est regret$ (e are o#'elled to ret"rn yo"r in redible o#'osition* And (e beg yo" a tho"sand ti#es o,er to 'ardon o"r shortsightedness and faintheartedness*% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ N*and "lt"ral #odes of e@'ression An A#eri an girl ta!ing dan ing lessons in an old)ti#e dan ing s hool sho(ed a onstant tenden y to lead her 'artner* This often bro"ght 'rotests li!e* HeyH -hos doing the leading)yo" or #e/% One day her dan ing 'artner ha''ened to be a 5hinese lad (ho$ a fe( #in"tes after the dan ing began$ (his'ered 'olitely* 1s it not generally #ore ad,antageo"s if in the dan ing 'ro ess$ the lady a,oids all 're on ei,ed ideas abo"t the dire tion in (hi h the o"'le sho"ld #o,e/% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ Nit is so#eti#es on ealed by tr"thf"lness*** T(o tra,elling sales#en #eet on the 'latfor# of a rail(ay station* Hello*% Hello*% &ilen e* -here are yo" off to/% 5al "tta*% &ilen e* ?istenH -hen yo" say yo"re going to 5al "tta$ yo" !no( that 1ll thin! that yo" are a t"ally going to Ao#bay* A"t 1 ha''en to !no( that yo" ore going to 5al "tta* &o (hy dont yo" tell the tr"th/% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ **and so#eti#es re,ealed by lies*** A dr"n! (andering thro"gh the ity streets at night fell into a ess'ool* As he san! dee'er into the liE"id #ess$ he began to sho"t* Fire$ fire$ fireH% &e,eral 'assers)by heard hi# and arne r"shing to the res "e* After they had '"lled hi# o"t they as!ed (hy he had sho"ted FireH% (hen there had been no fire* He ga,e the# this lassi res'onse* -o"ld any of yo" ha,e o#e to the res "e if 1 had sho"ted* .&hitH/% JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ A soldier (as r"shed ba ! ho#e fro# the front be a"se his father (as dying* An e@ e'tion (as #ade for hi# be a"se he (as all the fa#ily his father had* -hen he (al!ed into the 1ntensi,e 5are -ard he s"ddenly sa( that this se#i) ons io"s old #an (ith t"bes orning o"t of hi# (asnt his father* &o#eone had #ade a olossal #ista!e and r"shed ba ! the (rong #an* Ho( #" h longer does he ha,e to li,e/% he as!ed the do tor* Not #ore than a fe( ho"rs* Yo",e only +"st #ade it*% The soldier tho"ght of this dying #ans son fighting God !ne( (here tho"sands of #iles a(ay He tho"ght of the old #an holding on to life in the ho'e of being (ith his son one last ti#e before he died* Then he #ade "' his #ind* He leaned for(ard$ held the old #ans hand and said softly* >ad* 1# here* 1# ba !*% The dying #an l"t hed at the hand offered to hi#2 his "nseeing eyes o'ened to s an the s"rro"ndings2 a on tented s#ile s'read o,er his fa e and re#ained there till he died abo"t an ho"r later* JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ Nb"t al(ays at ones ris!* A ar a ident o "rred in a s#all to(n* A ro(d s"rro"nded the ,i ti# so a ne(s'a'er re'orter o"ldnt #anage to get lose eno"gh to see hi#* He hit "'on an idea* 1# the father of the ,i ti#H% he ried Please let #e

thro"gh*% The ro(d let hi# 'ass so he (as able to get right "' to the s ene of the a and dis o,er$ to his e#barrass#ent$ that the ,i ti# (as a don!ey* End

ident

THE PRAYER OF THE FROG PART TWO Author Anthony de Mello FOREWORD The first image of Tony de Mello that I herish goes !a " thirty years#and $re isely to %ona&ala' to the &ery house that mu h later !e ame the home of the (adhana Institute) Tony *as then a +esuit student' !ut engaged in tea hing the young men *ho had ,ust finished their no&i iate) The *hole grou$ had ome u$ to (t (tanislaus- .illa for a !rief holiday) I remem!er Tony *ith a !at h of ,uniors' as *e alled them' sitting under the trees outside the "it hen and leaning &egeta!les for the day-s meals' *hilst he regaled a &ery re e$ti&e audien e *ith his ine/hausti!le fund of stories) Mu h has ha$$ened to all of us sin e then0 and Tony himself *ent through innumera!le stages of gro*th and hange' of fresh om$eten e and ne* interests' and of effe ti&e ser&i e) 1ut he *as al*ays an in om$ara!le story#teller) Hardly any of his ane dotes *ere original' and some *ere not e&en e/ e$tionally smart0 !ut on his li$s they ame ali&e *ith meaning and rele&an e' or ,ust $lain fun) For that matter' any theme he tou hed ame ali&e and a$tured attention) And no* his $arting gift to us *hi h *ill surely ,oin the ran"s of his other !est# sellers' is The Prayer of the Frog) Though he s$o"e rather asually of his literary out$ut' he *as meti ulous in editing his om$ositions) The last thing he did in India !efore ta"ing the $lane for the 2nited (tates *as to s$end more than three hours *ith the $u!lisher' going o&er the details of his manus ri$t) I ha&e not seen the te/t' !ut I "no* of his final on ern) That *as in the e&ening of May 34th' 5678) On +une 9nd he *as found dead on the floor of his room in :e* Yor"' ha&ing su um!ed to a massi&e heart atta ") In !et*een he had made time to *rite a long letter to a lose friend' in *hi h he said' s$ea"ing of earlier e/$erien es; <All of that seems to !elong to another era and to another *orld) I find the *hole of my interest is no* fo ussed on something else' on the =*orld of the s$irit-' and I see e&erything else as so trifling and so irrele&ant) The things that mattered so mu h in the $ast do not seem to matter any more) Things li"e those of A haan >hah the 1uddhist tea her' seem to a!sor! my *hole interest and I am losing my taste for other things is this an illusion? I do not "no*) 1ut ne&er !efore in my life ha&e I felt so ha$$y' so free)))@ That ,ust a!out sums u$ Tony as he *as#and indeed as others $er ei&ed him #in his last $hase' !efore he left us so suddenly' three months !efore his fifty#si/th !irthday) And no* there is already a !ody of literature that is gro*ing around him' a &erita!le golden legend' *ith testimonies from a &ariety of $eo$le s attered the *orld o&er) Auite a fe* ha&e said they ne&er met him !ut *ere $rofoundly affe ted !y his !oo"s) Others had en,oyed the $ri&ilege of a dee$ relationshi$) Yet others only !riefly e/$erien ed the magi of his s$o"en *ord) :ot many *ould go along *ith e&erything that he said or did' es$e ially after he rossed the esta!lished !oundaries of s$iritual &enture #nor did Tony e/$e t a do ile follo*ing' !ut rather the ontrary) What attra ted so many to his $erson and ideas *as $re isely that he hallenged e&eryone to Buestion' to e/$lore' to get out of $refa!ri ated $atterns of thought and !eha&iour' a*ay from stereoty$es' and to dare !e one-s true self#in fine' to see" an e&er greater authenti ity) A relentless Buest for authenti ity#that is ho* Tony-s &ision ame a ross from any angle' at any range and this ga&e to his multifa eted $ersonality integrity' a *holeness' that had a harm and a $o*er all its o*n; it re on iled o$$osites' not in tension !ut as a harmonious !lend) He *as most ready to ma"e friends' to share'

yet one felt there *as a dimension in him that *as out of rea h He ould !e !oisterous in om$any' trotting out outrageous ,o"es' !ut no one ould dou!t his steadfast seriousness of $ur$ose He hanged so mu h and in so many *ays along the years' and ne&ertheless there *ere onstants in his hara ter that stayed firmly in $la e) A stri"ing e/am$le of this *as his ommitment as a +esuit) He had mo&ed far !eyond the enthusiasti $romotion of the ($iritual E/er ises a ording to the original design of (aint Ignatius#*hi h *as the thrust for *hi h he first ame to !e internationally a$$re iated0 in fa t' at the end he *as *ay out of *hat might !e re ogniCed as Ignatian s$irituality) 1ut he ne&er surrendered his +esuit identity) There *as o!&iously no om$ulsion in this0 $ro!a!ly not mu h reasoning either) It *as ,ust that he felt so mu h in tune *ith the mind and heart of Ignatius' as he "ne* and understood the (aint) In a homily that he addressed to the +esuit Pro&in ials of India in 5673' !efore they and he himself $arti i$ated in the last General >ongregation' or >ha$ter of the Order' he shared )*ith them an insight into Ignatius *hi h *as e&en more a self#re&elation of Tony; <There is a tradition among our early Fathers that God ga&e to Ignatius the gra es and harismas that He intended for the (o iety as a *hole and for ea h indi&idual +esuit) If I *ere as"ed to hoose for myself and for our (o iety today from among the many harismas that Ignatius had' I *ould Buite unhesitatingly hoose three; his ontem$lation' his reati&ity and his ourage)@ Parmananda R) Di*ar"ar ()+) Dth (e$tem!er) 5678 WAR:I:G It is a great mystery that though the human heart longs for Truth in *hi h alone it finds li!eration and delight' the first rea tion of human !eings to Truth is one of hostility and fear) (o the ($iritual Tea hers of humanity' li"e 1uddha and +esus' reated a de&i e to ir um&ent the o$$osition of their listeners; the story) They "ne* that the most entran ing *ords a language holds are) <On e u$on a time)))@' that it is ommon to o$$ose a truth !ut im$ossi!le to resist a story) .yasa' the author of the Maha!harata) says that if you listen arefully to a story you *ill ne&er !e the same again) That is !e ause the story *ill *orm its *ay into your heart and !rea" do*n !arriers to the di&ine) E&en if you read the stories in this !oo" only for the entertainment there is no guarantee that an o asional story *ill not sli$ through your defen es arid e/$lode *hen you least e/$e t it to) (o you ha&e !een *arnedE If you are foolhardy enough to ourt enlightenment' this is *hat I suggest you do; FAG >arry a story around in your mind so you an d*ell on it in leisure moments) That *ill gi&e it a han e to *or" on your su! ons ious and re&eal its hidden meaning) You *ill then !e sur$rised to see ho* it omes to you Buite une/$e tedly ,ust *hen you need it to light u$ an e&ent or situation and !ring you insight and inner healing) That is *hen you *ill realiCe that' in e/$osing yourself to these stories' you *ere auditing a >ourse in Enlightenment for *hi h no guru is needed other than yourselfE I1G (in e ea h of these stories is a re&elation of Truth and sin e Truth' *hen s$elt *ith a a$ital T' means the truth a!out you' ma"e sure that ea h time you read a story you single#mindedly sear h for a dee$er understanding of yourself) The *ay one *ould read a Medi al 1oo" # *ondering if one has any of the sym$toms0 and not a Psy hology 1oo"#thin"ing *hat ty$i al s$e imens one-s friends are) If you su um! to the tem$tation of see"ing insight into others' the stories *ill do you damage) (o $assionate *as Mulla :asruddin-s lo&e for truth that he tra&elled to distant $la es in sear h of Horani s holars and he felt no inhi!itions a!out dra*ing infidels at the !aCaar into dis ussions a!out the truths of his faith)

One day his *ife told him ho* unfairly he *as treating her#and dis o&ered that her hus!and had no interest *hatsoe&er in that "ind of TruthE It-s the only "ind that matters' of ourse) Ours *ould !e a different *orld' indeed' if those of us *ho are s holars and ideologues' *hether religious or se ular' had the same $assion for self#"no*ledge that *e dis$lay for our theories and dogmas) <E/ ellent sermon'@ said the $arishioner' as she $um$ed the hand of the $rea her) <E&erything you said a$$lies to someone or other I "no*)@ (ee? I:(TR2>TIO: The stories are !est read in the order in *hi h they are set out here) Read no more than one or t*o at a time#that is' if you *ish to get anything more than entertainment from them) :OTE The stories in this !oo" ome from a &ariety of ountries' They !elong to the s$iritual heritage#and $o$ular humour#of All that the author has done is string them together *ith a His tas" has !een that of the *ea&er and the dyer) He ta"es the otton and the thread) ultures and religions) the human ra e) s$e ifi aim in mind) no redit at all for

ED2>ATIO: The family settled do*n for dinner at the restaurant) The *aitress first too" the order of the adults' then' turned to the se&en#year#old) <What *ill you ha&e?@ she as"ed) The !oy loo"ed around the ta!le timidly and said' <I *ould li"e to ha&e a hot dog)@ 1efore the *aitress ould *rite do*n the order the mother interru$ted) <:o hot dogs'@ she said) <Get him a stea" *ith mashed $otatoes and arrots)@ The *aitress ignored her' <Do you *ant "et hu$ or mustard on your hot dog?@ she as"ed the !oy) <Het hu$)@ <>oming u$ in a minute'@ said the *aitress as she started for the "it hen) There *as a stunned silen e *hen she left) Finally the !oy loo"ed at e&eryone $resent and said) <Hno* *hat? (he thin"s I-m realE@ <Ho* are your hildren?@ <1oth of them are &ery *ell than"ing you)@ <Ho* old are they?@ The do tor is three and the la*yer is fi&e) IIIIIIIII %ittle Mary *as on the !ea h *ith her mother) =Mummy' may I $lay in the sand?@ <:o' darling) You-ll only soil your lean lothes) <May I *ade in the *ater?@ <:o) You-ll get *et and at h a old) <May I $lay *ith the other hildren?@ <:o) You-ll get lost in the ro*d)@ =Mummy' !uy me an i e# ream) <:o) It-s !ad for your throat)@ %ittle Mary !egan to ry) Mother turned to a *oman *ho *as standing near !y and said) <For hea&en-s sa"eE

Ha&e you e&er seen su h a neuroti IIIIIIIII

hild?@

A man !egan to gi&e large doses of od#li&er oil to his Do!erman !e ause he had !een told that the stuff *as good for dogs) Ea h day he *ould hold the head of the $rotesting dog !et*een his "nees for e its ,a*s o$en and $our the liBuid do*n its throat) One day the dog !ro"e loose and s$ilt the oil on the floor) Then' to the man-s great sur$rise' it returned to li " the s$oon) That is *hen he dis o&ered that *hat the dog had !een fighting *as not the oil !ut his method of administering it) IIIIIIIII An an ient legend has it that *hen God *as reating the *orld He *as a$$roa hed !y four angels) The first one as"ed' <Ho* are you doing it?@ The se ond' <Why are you doing it?@ the third' <>an I !e of hel$?@ The fourth' <What is it *orth?@ The first *as a s ientist0 the se ond' a $hiloso$her0 the third' an altruist0 and the fourth' a real estate agent) A fifth angel *at hed in *onder and a$$lauded in sheer delight) This one *as the mysti ) IIIIIIIII %ittle +ohnny *as !eing tried out for a $art in the s hool $lay) His mother "ne* that he had set his heart on it !ut she feared he *ould not !e hosen) On the day the $arts *ere gi&en out) +ohnny' !a " from s hool' rushed into his mother-s arms' !ursting *ith $ride and e/ itement) <Mother)@ he shouted' <guess *hatE I-&e !een hosen to la$ and heer)@ From a hild-s re$ort ard; <(amuel $arti i$ates &ery ni ely in the grou$ singing !y hel$ful listening)@ IIIIIIIII One of the fe* men to *al" on the moon Fells ho* he had to su$$ress his artisti instin ts *hen he got there) He remem!ered loo"ing !a " at Earth and !eing enra$tured !y the sight) For a *hile he stood rooted to the ground' thin"ing) <My' that-s lo&elyE@ Then he Bui "ly shoo" the mood off and said to himself' <(to$ *asting your lime and go olle t ro "s)@ There are t*o edu ations; the one that tea hes ho* to ma"e a li&ing and the one that tea hes ho* to li&e) IIIIIIIII Andre* >arnegie' one of the ri hest men in the *orld *as on e as"ed; <You ould ha&e sto$$ed any time' ouldn-t you' !e ause you al*ays had mu h more than you needed?@ He re$lied; <Yes' that-s right) 1ut I ould not sto$' I had forgotten ho* to)@ Many fear that if they sto$$ed to thin" and *onder they might not !e a!le to get started again) IIIIIIIII The old man had li&ed most of his life on *hat *as onsidered to !e one of the lo&eliest islands in the *orld) :o* that he had returned to s$end his retirement years in the !ig ity someone said to him' <It must ha&e !een *onderful lo li&e for so many years on an island that is onsidered one of the *onders of the *orld)@ The old man ga&e that some thought' then said' <Well' to tell you the truth' if I had "no*n it *as so famous' I-d ha&e loo"ed at it)@ Peo$le don-t need to !e taught ho* to loo") They merely need to !e sa&ed from s hools that !lind them)

IIIIIIIII In the early 57J4s Ameri an $ainter' +ames M :eill Whistler' s$ent a !rief#and a ademi ally unsu essful#$eriod at West Point' the 2)() Military A ademy) The story goes that *hen he *as assigned to dra* a !ridge he dre* a romanti stone one' om$lete *ith grassy !an"s and t*o small hildren fishing from it) <Get those hildren off that !ridgeE@ said the instru tor) <This is an engineering e/er ise)@ Whistler got the "ids off the !ridge' dre* them fishing from the !an" of the ri&er and resu!mitted the dra*ing) The angry instru tor yelled' <I told you to remo&e those hildren) Get them om$letely out of the $i tureE@ 1ut the reati&e urge *as too strong )in Whistler) His ne/t &ersion had the hildren < om$letely out of the $i ture@ indeed) They *ere !uried under t*o small tom!stones on the ri&er !an") IIIIIIIII :oti ing that his father *as gro*ing old' the son of a !urglar said) <Father' tea h me your trade so that *hen you retire I may arry on the family tradition)@ The father did not re$ly !ut that night he too" the !oy along *ith him to !rea" into a house) On e inside' he o$ened a loset and as"ed his son to find out *hat *as inside) :o sooner had the lad ste$$ed in then the father slammed the door shut and !olted it ma"ing su h a noise in the $ro ess that the *hole house *as a*a"ened) Then he himself sli$$ed Buietly a*ay) Inside the loset the !oy *as terrified' angry and $uCCled as to ho* he *as going to ma"e his es a$e) Then an idea ame to him) He !egan to ma"e a noise li"e a at0 *hereu$on a ser&ant lit a andle and o$ened the loset to let the at out) The !oy ,um$ed out as soon as the loset door o$ened and e&eryone ga&e hase) O!ser&ing a *ell !eside the road he thre* a large stone into it and hid in the shado*s0 then stole a*ay *hile his $ursuers $eered into the de$ths ho$ing to see the !urglar dro*n) 1a " home again the !oy forgot his anger in his eagerness to tell his story) 1ut his father said) <Why tell me the tale? You are here) That is enough) You ha&e learnt the trade)@ IIIIIIIII Edu ation should not !e a $re$aration for life0 it should !e life) A grou$ of ollege students !egged no&elist (in lair %e*is to gi&e them a le ture' e/$laining that all of them *ere to !e ome *riters themsel&es) %e*is !egan *ith; <Ho* many of you really intend to !e *riters?@ All hands *ere raised) <In that ase' there is no $oint in my tal"ing) My ad&i e to you is; go home and *rite' *rite' *rite)))@ With that' he returned his notes to his $o "et and left the room) IIIIIIIII With the hel$ of a MA:2A% OF I:(TR2>TIO:( a *oman tried for hours to assem!le a om$li ated ne* a$$lian e she had re ently !ought) (he finally ga&e u$ and left the $ie es all o&er the "it hen ta!le) Imagine her sur$rise *hen she got !a " se&eral hours later to find the ma hine $ut together !y the housemaid and fun tioning $erfe tly) <Ho* on earth did you do that?@ she e/ laimed) <Well' ma-am' *hen you don-t "no* ho* to read you-re for ed to use your !rains)@ *as the serene re$ly) IIIIIIIII A man' *ho had ,ust retired from forty#se&en years of *or" as a re$orter and editor $honed to the lo al Edu ation 1oard and) after e/$laining his !a "ground in the ne*s$a$er !usiness' said he *ould li"e to get in&ol&ed in the lo al litera y $rogramme)

There *as a long $ause) Then someone at the other end said) <That *ould !e fine) 1ut *ould you *ant to tea h or to learn?@ IIIIIIIII Three !oys a used of stealing *atermelons *ere !rought to ourt and fa ed the ,udge ner&ously' e/$e ting the *orst' for he *as "no*n to !e a se&ere man) He *as also a *ise edu ator) With a ra$ of his ga&el he said) <Any man in here *ho ne&er stole a single *atermelon *hen he *as a !oy raise his hand)@ He *aited) The ourt offi ials' $oli eman' s$e tators#and the ,udge himself#"e$t their hands on the des"s in front of them When he *as satisfied that not a single hand *as raised in the ourt' the ,udge said) <>ase dismissed)@ IIIIIIIII Religious#minded *oman mourning the *ays of the younger generation; <It-s !e ause of the arsE %oo" ho* far they an go for a dan e or a date no*adays) It *asn-t that *ay in your day' *as it grandma?@ Eighty#se&en year old lady; <Well' *e ertainly *ent as far as *e ould)@ IIIIIIIII Mother; <Did you "no* that God *as $resent *hen you stole that oo"ie from the "it hen?@ <And he *as loo"ing at you all the time?@ <Yes)@ <And *hat do you thin" he *as saying to you?@ <He *as saying) There-s no one here !ut the t*o of us#ta"e t*o)IIIIIIIII When the young ra!!i su eeded his father e&eryone !egan to tell him ho* om$letely unli"e his father he <On the ontrary)@ re$lied the young man) <I-m e/a tly li"e the old man) He imitated no one) I imitate no one)@ =1e yourselfE1e*are of imitating the !eha&iour of the great if you do not ha&e the inner dis$osition that ins$ired them to a t) IIIIIIIII When Handel-s ME((IAH *as first $erformed in %ondon' the Hing *ho *as $resent' *as so arried a*ay !y religious sentiment during the Alleluia horus that' against all on&ention' he stood u$ in silent res$e t for the master$ie e he *as hearing) When they sa* this' all the no!les $resent follo*ed the e/am$le of the Hing and stood u$ too) That *as the signal' of ourse' for e&eryone in the audien e to stand u$E (in e then it is onsidered de rigueur to stand u$ ea h time the Alleluia is sung regardless of one-s inner dis$osition or the Buality of the $erforman e) IIIIIIIII An old sailor ga&e u$ smo"ing *hen his $et $arrot de&elo$ed a $ersistent ough) He *as *orried#that the $i$e smo"e that freBuently filled the room had damaged the $arrot-s health) He had a &et e/amine the !ird) After a thorough he "#u$ the &et on luded that the $arrot did not ha&e $sitta osis or $neumonia) It had merely !een imitating the ough of its $i$e#smo"ing master) IIIIIIIII 2n le +oe had ome for the *ee"end and little +immy *as e stati that his great hero *as going to share his room and !ed) +ust after lights out +immy remem!ered something) <Oo$sE@ he ried) <I nearly forgotE@

He ,um$ed out of !ed and "nelt do*n !eside it) :ot *ishing to set a !ad e/am$le to the little fello*' 2n le +oe hea&ed himself out of !ed and "nelt do*n on the other side) <1oyE@ *his$ered +immy in a*e) <When Mom finds out tomorro*' you-ll get itE The $ot-s on this side)@ IIIIIIIII <I *ish you *ould dress more in a ordan e *ith your $osition) Tm sorry you ha&e allo*ed yourself to !e ome so sha!!y)@ <1ut I am not sha!!y)@ =Yes' you are) Ta"e your grandfather) He *as al*ays so elegantly dressed) His lothes *ere e/$ensi&e and *ell tailored)@ <HaE I-&e got you thereE These are my grandfather-s lothes I am *earingE@ IIIIIIIII A $hiloso$her *ho had only one $air of shoes as"ed the o!!ler to re$air them for him *hile he *aited) <It-s losing time'@ said the o!!ler' <so it *on-t !e $ossi!le for me to re$air them ,ust no*) Why don-t you ome for them tomorro*?@ <I ha&e only one $air of shoes and it *on-t !e $ossi!le for me to *al" *ithout shoes)@ <.ery *ell) I shall lend you a used $air for the day)@ <WhatE Wear someone else-s shoes? What do you ta"e me for?@ <Why should you o!,e t to ha&ing someone else-s shoes on your feet *hen you don-t mind arrying other $eo$le-s ideas in your head?@ IIIIIIIII <What did you ha&e in s hool today?@ a father as"ed his teenage son) <Oh' *e had le tures on se/'@ *as the re$ly) <%e tures on se/? What did they tell you?@ <Well' first there *as a $riest *ho told us *hy *e shouldn-t) Then a do tor told us ho* *e shouldn-t) Finally the $rin i$al ga&e us a tal" on *here *e shouldn-t)@ IIIIIIIII The Dean of Women *as introdu ing the ne* omers to the ollege and thought fit to tou h on the su!,e t of se/ morality) <In moments of tem$tation' as" yoursel&es ,ust one Buestion; Is an hour of $leasure *orth a lifetime of shame?@ At the end of the le ture she as"ed if there *ere any Buestions) One of the girls timidly raised her hand and said) <>ould you tell us ho* you ma"e it last one hour?@ IIIIIIIII 2)() President William Ho*ard Taft *as at dinner one night *hen his youngest son made a disres$e tful remar" a!out his father) E&eryone *as sho "ed at the auda ity of the !oy and a hush des ended on the room) <Well'@ said Mrs) Taft' <aren-t you going to $unish him?@ <If the remar" *as addressed to me as his father' he *ill ertainly !e $unished)@ said Taft' <1ut if he addressed it to the President of the 2nited (tates' that is his onstitutional $ri&ilege)@ Why should a father !e e/em$t from riti ism that-s good for a President? IIIIIIIII A guru *as holding lass for a grou$ of young dis i$les *hen they !egged him to re&eal to them the (a red Mantra !y *hi h the dead are restored to life) <What *ould you do *ith a dangerous thing li"e that?@ <:othing) It *ould ,ust ser&e to strengthen our faith)@ they re$lied) <Premature "no*ledge is a dangerous thing' my hildren)@ the old man said)

<When is "no*ledge $remature?@ they demanded) <When it gi&es $o*er to someone *ho does not as yet ha&e the *isdom that must go *ith its use)@ The dis i$les $ersisted' ho*e&er' so the holy man' in s$ite of himself' *his$ered the (a red Mantra into their ears im$loring them re$eatedly to use it *ith the greatest dis retion) :ot long after*ards the young men *ere *al"ing along a desert $la e *here they sa* a hea$ of !lea hed !ones) In the s$irit of fri&olity that generally a om$anies a ro*d they de ided to test the Mantra that should only ha&e !een used after $rolonged meditation) :o sooner had they uttered the magi *ords than the !ones gained flesh and *ere transformed into ra&enous *ol&es that hased them and tore them to shreds) IIIIIIIII At the age of si/ty#one Master (oyen (ha"u $assed from this *orld' !ut not !efore he had fulfilled his a$$ointed tas"#he left for $osterity a more &aried and more su!lime tea hing than that of most Ken Masters) It *as said that his $u$ils *ould sometimes slee$ after the midday meal' o&er ome *ith lassitude in the summer) E&en though he himself ne&er *asted a minute) (oyen ne&er said a *ord a!out this failing in his dis i$les) At the age of t*el&e he *as already studying the $hiloso$hi al tenets of the Tendai s hool) One summer day the heat *as so o$$ressi&e that little (oyen o!ser&ing that his tea her *as a*ay' stret hed out and fell into a dee$ slee$ that lasted three hours) He only *o"e u$ *ith a start' *hen he heard the Master enter; !ut it *as too late0 there he lay) s$ra*led a ross the door*ay) <Please e/ use me' $lease e/ use me'@ his tea her *his$ered as he ste$$ed re&erently o&er (oyen-s $rostrate !ody as if it *ere the !ody of some distinguished guest) After that (oyen ne&er again sle$t' in the day time) IIIIIIIII A little !oy running do*n the street turned a orner suddenly and ollided *ith a man) <My goodnessE@ said the man) <Where are you off to in su h a hurry?@ <Home)@ said the lad) <And I-m in a hurry !e ause my mother is going to s$an" me)@ <Are you so eager to !e s$an"ed that you are running home for it?@ as"ed the astonished stranger) <:o) 1ut if father gets home !efore me he *ill do the s$an"ing)@ >hildren are mirrors) When they are in the $resen e of lo&e' that-s *hat they refle t) When lone is a!sent they ha&e nothing to gi&e out) IIIIIIIII :asruddin handed a !oy a $it her and told him to go fet h *ater from the *ell) 1efore the "id set out' ho*e&er' he louted him on the ear and shouted) <Mind you don-t dro$ itE@ An onloo"er said' <Ho* an you stri"e a $oor hild !efore he has done anything *rong?@ (aid :asruddin' <I su$$ose you *ould $refer me to stri"e him AFTER he has !ro"en the $it her *hen !oth the $it her and the *ater are lost? When I lout him he remem!ers and so the $ot and the *ater are !oth sa&ed)@ IIIIIIIII A des$airing ou$le sent urgently for the hild $sy hologist !e ause they ,ust did not "no* *hat to do *ith their little son *ho had installed himself on the ro "ing horse of a neigh!ouring "id and refused to get off) He had three ro "ing horses of his o*n at home' !ut he *as adamant that the one he *anted to sit on *as THI( one) Attem$ts to drag him a*ay led to su h ho*ls and shrie"s that he *as $ut right !a " on the horse) The $sy hologist first settled the matter of his fee' then *al"ed u$ to the "id'

tousled his hair affe tionately' !ent do*n and smilingly *his$ered something in his ear) Instantly the "id got off the horse and do ilely follo*ed his $arent-s home) <What "ind of magi did you use on the hild?@ as"ed the *ondering $arents) The $sy hologist olle ted his fee !efore he said' <(im$le) I ,ust !ent do*n and said' =If you don-t get off that horse this minute I-m going to !eat you u$ so you *on-t !e a!le to sit do*n for another *ee") I-m !eing $aid to do this' so I mean it)@1efore you $unish a hild as" yourself if you are not the ause of the offen e) IIIIIIIII Parents; <Why is it that though +ohnny is younger than you his mar"s at s hool are al*ays !etter?@ (e&en#year#old; <1e ause +ohnny-s $arents are le&er)@ IIIIIIIII The modern hild; A man *anted to foster a lo&e for musi in his hildren so he !ought them a $iano) When he got home he found them ontem$lating the $iano in $uCClement) <Ho*'@ they as"ed' <do you $lug it in?@ IIIIIIIII A little !oy *as in a &illage' a*ay from the !ig ity for the first time in his life) He *as standing on the side*al" *hen an old man dro&e u$ in a horse art and *ent into a sho$) The !oy "e$t gaCing in *onder at the horse' an animal he had ne&er seen in his life) When the old man ame out of the sho$ and *as $re$aring to dri&e a*ay' the "id said' <Hey' misterE May!e I ought to *arn you that he ,ust lost his $etrol?@ IIIIIIIII %ittle girl at fruit store *ith a !anana $eel in her hand; <What is it you *ant' darling?@ said the &endor) <A refill)@ *as the re$ly) IIIIIIIII The Master at the s hool for ar hery *as "no*n to !e a Master of %ife ,ust as mu h as of ar hery) One day his !rightest $u$il s ored three !ull-s eyes in a ro* at a lo al ontest) E&eryone *ent *ild *ith a$$lause) >ongratulations $oured in for $u$il#and Master The Master' ho*e&er' seemed unim$ressed) E&en riti al) When the $u$il later as"ed him *hy) he said' <You ha&e yet to learn that the target is not the target)@ <What I( the target?@ the $u$il demanded to "no*) 1ut the Master *ould not say) This *as something the !oy *ould ha&e to learn on his o*n some day for it ould not !e ommuni ated in *ords) One day he dis o&ered that *hat he *as meant to aim at *as not a hie&ement !ut attitude0 not !ull-s eye !ut the disa$$earan e of the ego) IIIIIIIII A tea her learnt to !e ome a *ise and om$assionate edu ator the hard *ay !y ma"ing many mista"es) Here is one of them; He *as Prin i$al of a s hool *hen a lad ame to say he *anted to lea&e for another s hool) <Why' son? What-s *rong? What ma"es you unha$$y? Your mar"s are good)@ <:othing-s *rong' sir) I ,ust *ant to lea&e)@ <Is it the tea hers? Is there any tea her you do not li"e?@ <:o' sir) It isn-t the tea hers)@ <Is it the other students? Ha&e you had a fight *ith someone?@ <:o) It-s nothing li"e that)@

<Is it the fees? Are those too high?@ <:o' sir) It isn-t that either)@ The Prin i$al then $aused for a long *hile' onfident that !y his silen e he *ould get the lad to s$ea") (uddenly the !oy *as *i$ing tears from his eyes) The Prin i$al "ne* he had *on) In his softest' most understanding tone he said' <You-re rying !e ause something is !othering you' aren-t you?@ The !oy nodded) <Well' then' tell me *hy you are rying)@ The !oy loo"ed straight at the Prin i$al and said) <1e ause you are as"ing me all these Buestions)@ IIIIIIIII There *as a Buestion of o$ening a reformatory for !oys and a *ell#"no*n edu ationist *as alled in for ad&i e) He made a $assionate $lea for humane methods of edu ation at the reformatory' urging the founders to s$are no e/$ense in getting the ser&i es of "ind#hearted and om$etent edu ators) He on luded !y saying) <If only one !oy is sa&ed from moral de$ra&ity' it *ill ,ustify all the ost and la!our in&ested in an institution li"e this)@ %ater a mem!er of the !oard said to him) <Didn-t you get ,ust a *ee !it arried a*ay there? Would all the ost and la!our !e ,ustified if *e ould sa&e only one !oy?@ <If it *ere my !oy' yes?@ *as the re$ly) IIIIIIIII A2THORITY A tale from the >al utta mysti ' Rama"rishna0 There *as a "ing *ho used to ha&e the 1haga&ad Gita re ited to him e&ery day !y a $riest) The $riest *ould then e/$lain the te/t and say' <O Hing' ha&e you understood *hat I ha&e said?@ And e&ery day the "ing *ould neither say Yes or :o) He *ould only say) <You had !etter understand it first yourself)@ This al*ays aused sorro* to the $oor $riest *ho had s$ent hours $re$aring the daily lesson for the "ing and "ne* that his e/$lanation *as lu id and lear) :o* the $riest *as a sin ere see"er after Truth) While he *as meditating one day he suddenly sa* the illusory nature#the relati&e reality#of all things' house' family' *ealth' friends' honour' re$utation and e&erything else) (o learly did he see this that all desire for these things &anished in his heart? He de ided to lea&e home and ta"e u$ the life of a *andering as eti ) 1efore he left home he sent the "ing this message' <O "ingE At last I ha&e understood)@ IIIIIIIII The *oman *as affli ted *ith a !ad old and nothing the do tor $res ri!ed seemed to gi&e her any relief) <>an you do nothing to ure me' Do tor?@ she as"ed in frustration) <I ha&e a suggestion'@ said the do tor) <Go home and ha&e a hot sho*er' then' !efore drying yourself' stand star" na"ed in a draught)@ <Will that ure me?@ she as"ed' sur$rised) <:o' !ut it *ill gi&e you $neumonia) And that I an ure)@ Has it e&er o urred to you that your guru might !e offering you the remedy for art illness that he himself *as the ause of?? IIIIIIIII <Than" God *e too" a mule *ith us on the $i ni in,ured *e used the mule to arry him !a ")@ <Ho* did he get in,ured?@ !e ause *hen one of the !oys *as

<The mule "i "ed himE@ <>ould you re ommend a good do tor?@ <I suggest Dr) >hung) He sa&ed my life)@ <Ho* did that ha$$en?@ <Well) I had this serious illness and *ent to see Dr) >hing) I too" his medi ine and felt *orse) (o I *ent to Dr) >hang) I too" his medi ine and felt I *as dying) (o I finally *ent to Dr) >hung#and he *asn-t in)@ IIIIIIIII 1elief in authority endangers $er e$tion; The do tor !ent o&er the lifeless figure in !ed) Then he straightened u$ and said' <I am sorry to say that your hus!and is no more' my dear)@ A fee!le sound of $rotest ame from the lifeless figure in !ed; <:o' I-m still ali&e)@ <Hold your tongue)@ said the *oman) <The do tor "no*s !etter than you)@ IIIIIIIII A neigh!our ame to !orro* :asruddin-s don"ey) <It-s out on loan)@ said :asruddin) At that moment the animal !egan to !ray from *ithin its sta!le) <1ut I an hear it !ray)@ said the neigh!our) <(o *hom are you going to !elie&e' the don"ey or me?@ IIIIIIIII The ro*n $rin e *as a duffer so the "ing em$loyed a s$e ial tutor for him) %essons !egan *ith a areful e/$lanation of Eu lid-s first theorem) <Is this lear' your Royal Highness?@ as"ed the tutor) <:o)@ said his Royal Highness) (o the tutor $atiently *ent o&er the theorem again) <Is it lear no*?@ <:o)@ said the $rin e) On e again the tutor *ent to *or" on the theorem#*ith no effe t) When e&en after the tenth attem$t the royal duffer ould ma"e no sense of the theorem the $oor tutor *as redu ed to tears) <1elie&e me your Royal Highness)@ he ried' <this theorem is true and this is the *ay it is $ro&ed)@ On hearing these *ords the $rin e rose to his feet and said *ith a solemn !o*) <My dear sir I ha&e full faith in *hat you say so if you assure me the theorem is true I *holeheartedly a e$t it) My only regret is that you did not gi&e me this assuran e earlier so that *e ould ha&e then $ro eeded to the se ond theorem *ithout *asting any time)@ That *ay you ha&e all the right ans*ers *ithout "no*ing geometry as $eo$le ha&e all the #to themE#right !eliefs *ithout "no*ing God) To say to authority' <I-m dum!# Please thin" for me'@ is li"e saying' <I-m thirsty) Please drin" for me)@ IIIIIIIII 1uddha says' <Mon"s and s holars should not a e$t my *ords out of res$e t !ut should analyse them as a goldsmith analyses gold !y utting' melting' s ra$ing and ru!!ing it)@ Tall man in mo&ie theatre to little !oy sitting !ehind him; <>an you see the s reen' son?@ <:o)@ <:ot to *orry) +ust loo" at me and laugh e&ery time I laugh)@ IIIIIIIII Marshal Ferdinand Fo h *as >ommander of the Allied For es during the First World War) His hauffeur' Pierre' *as sedulously ulti&ated !y ne*s$a$er re$orters *ho ho$ed to get information on *hat *as going on in the Marshal-s mind) They *ere al*ays as"ing him *hen the *ar *ould get o&er) 1ut Pierre *ould ne&er say) One day the re$orters aught Pierre ,ust as he *as lea&ing headBuarters) As they

ro*ded around him the hauffeur said0 <Today the Marshal s$o"e)@ <What did he say?@ they as"ed eagerly) <He said' =Pierre' *hat do you thin"? When *ill the *ar get o&er?@A $riest-s daughter as"ed him *here he got the ideas for his sermons) <From God)@ he re$lied) <Then *hy do I see you s rat hing things out?@ as"ed the girl) IIIIIIIII The radio genius Mar oni' sat u$ all night *ith a friend in his la!oratory dis ussing all the intri ate as$e ts of *ireless ommuni ation) As they *ere lea&ing the la!oratory Mar oni suddenly said) <All my life I ha&e !een studying this matter !ut there is one thing I sim$ly annot understand a!out radio < <(omething you do not understand a!out radioE- said the astonished friend) <What is it?@ (aid Mar oni' <Why does it *or"?@ IIIIIIIII Many years ago a !isho$ on the east oast of the 2nited (tates $aid a &isit to a small religious >ollege on the *est oast) He *as lodged in the home of the ollege $resident *ho *as a $rogressi&e young man' a $rofessor of $hysi s and hemistry) The $resident one day in&ited the mem!ers of his fa ulty to dinner *ith the !isho$ so they ould !enefit from his *isdom and e/$erien e) After dinner the tal" turned to the millennium and the !isho$ laimed that it ould not !e far off) One of the reasons he addu ed for this *as the fa t that e&erything in nature had !een dis o&ered and all $ossi!le in&entions had !een made) The $resident $olitely demurred) In his o$inion' he said' humanity *as on the threshold of !rilliant ne* dis o&eries) The !isho$ dared the $resident to mention one) The $resident said he e/$e ted that *ithin the ne/t fifty years or so humans *ould learn to fly) This thre* the !isho$ into a fit of laughter) <Ru!!ish' my dear man'@ he e/ laimed' <If God had intended us to fly' He *ould ha&e $ro&ided us *ith *ings) Flight is reser&ed for the !irds and the angels)@ The !isho$-s name *as Wright) He had t*o sons named Or&ille and Wil!ur # the in&entors of the first aero$lane) IIIIIIIII An an ient "ing in India senten ed a man to death) The man !egged that the senten e !e ondoned' and added' <If the "ing *ill !e mer iful and s$are my life' I shall tea h his horse to fly in a year-s time)@ <Done'@ said the "ing) <1ut if at the end of this $eriod the horse annot fly' you *ill !e e/e uted)@ When his an/ious family later as"ed the man ho* he $lanned to a hie&e this' he said' <In the ourse of the year the "ing may die) Or the horse may die' or *ho "no*s' the Horse may learn to flyE@ IIIIIIIII A young s ientist *as !oasting in the $resen e of a Guru' of the a hie&ements of modern s ien e) <We an fly' ,ust li"e the !irds'@ he *as saying) <We an do *hat the !irds an doE@ <E/ e$t sit on a !ar!ed *ire fen e'@ said the Guru) IIIIIIIII The do tor arefully e/amined a $atient and said' <You ha&e had an atta " of $neumonia) You are some sort of a musi ian' aren-t you?@ <Yes'@ said the man sur$rised) <And you $lay a *ind instrument)@ <That-s right)

Ho* did you "no*?@ <Elementary' my dear fello*E There is a distin t straining of the lungs and the laryn/ is inflamed' undou!tedly !e ause of se&ere $ressure) Tell me' *hat instrument do you $lay?@ <The a ordion)@ The haCards of infalli!ilityE IIIIIIIII It *as the !irthday of the $arish $riest and the hildren had ome *ith their !irthday greetings and gifts) Father too" the gift#*ra$$ed $ar el from little Mary and said' <AhE I see you ha&e !rought me a !oo")@ FMary-s father ran a !oo"store in to*nG <Yes' ho* did you "no*?@ <Father al*ays "no*sE@ <And you' Tommy' ha&e !rought me a s*eater'@ said Father $i "ing u$ the $ar el Tommy held out to him) FTommy-s father *as a dealer in *oollen goodsG) <That-s right) Ho* did you "no*?@ <AhE Father al*ays "no*s)@ And so it *ent' till Father lifted 1o!!y-s !o/) The *ra$$ing $a$er *as *et F1o!!y-s father sold *ines and liBuorsG so Father said' <I see you ha&e !rought me a !ottle of s ot h and s$illed some of itE@ <Wrong'@ said 1o!!y' <it isn-t s ot h)@ <Well' a !ottle of rum then)@ <Wrong again)@ Father-s fingers *ere *et) He $ut one of them into his mouth !ut that ga&e him no lue) <Is it gin?@ <:o'@ said 1o!!y) <I-&e !rought you a $u$$yE@ IIIIIIIII O*ing to a &ariety of ir umstan es' the egg of an eagle found its *ay to a orner of the !arn *here a hen *as hat hing her eggs) In time the little eaglet *as hat hed *ith the other hi "ens) :o* as time $assed the fledging' Buite una ounta!ly' !egan to e/$erien e a longing to fly) (o it *ould say to its mother' the hen' <When shall I learn to fly?@ The $oor hen *as Buite a*are of the fa t that she ould not fly and hadn-t the slightest notion of *hat other !irds did to train their fledglings in the art of flight) 1ut she *as ashamed to onfess to this inadeBua y' so she *ould say' <:ot yet' my hild' not yet) I shall tea h you *hen you are ready)@ Months $assed and the young eagle !egan to sus$e t that its mother did not "no* ho* to fly) 1ut it ould not get itself to !rea" loose and fly on its o*n for its "een longing to fly had !e ome onfused *ith the gratitude it e/$erien ed to*ards the !ird that had hat hed it) IIIIIIIII Going !y re$orts he had heard of him' the >ali$h a$$ointed :asruddin >hief Ad&isor at the ourt) (in e his authority deri&ed' not from om$eten e' !ut from the $atronage of the >ali$h' :asruddin !e ame a danger to all *ho ame to onsult him as !e ame e&ident in the follo*ing ase; <:asruddin' you are a man of e/$erien e'@ said a ourtier) <Do you "no* of a ure for a hing eyes? I-m ha&ing a lot of trou!le *ith mine)@ <%et me share my o*n e/$erien e *ith you'@ said :asruddin) <I on e had a tootha he and got no relief till I had the tooth out)@ IIIIIIIII The do tor de ided that the time had ome to tell his $atient the truth; <I feel I should tell you that you are a &ery si " man and are not li"ely to li&e for more than another t*o days at the most) You may *ant to settle your affairs) Is there anyone you desire to see?@ <Yes'@ ame the ans*er in a fee!le &oi e) <Who is it?@ as"ed the do tor) <Another do tor)@

IIIIIIIII A young author on e told Mar" T*ain that he *as losing onfiden e in his a!ility to *rite) <Did you e&er get that feeling yourself?@ he as"ed) <Yes'@ said T*ain) <On e' after I had !een *riting for nearly fifteen years' it suddenly stru " me that I did not $ossess the slightest talent for *riting)@ <What did you do then? Did you gi&e u$ *riting?@ <Ho* ould I? 1y then I *as already famous)@ IIIIIIIII A ri h man de ided to fulfil a life#long dream of leading an or hestra) (o he hired one drummer' three sa/o$honists and t*enty#four &iolinists) At their first rehearsal he ondu ted so !adly that the drummer in&ited the other musi ians to lea&e *ith him) 1ut one of the sa/o$honists said' <Why lea&e? He-s $aying us *ell) 1esides' he must "no* something a!out musi )@ At the ne/t rehearsal the ondu tor ,ust ouldn-t "ee$ time) Where u$on the drummer started to !eat his drums furiously) The ondu tor ta$$ed for silen e' glared at the musi ians and as"ed' <Who did that?@ IIIIIIIII A friend on e told the manager of an or hestra that he *ould lo&e to ha&e a $osition in the or hestra) (aid the manager' <I had no idea you ould $lay an instrument'@ <I an-t'@ *as the re$ly) <1ut I see you ha&e a man there *ho does nothing !ut *a&e a sti " around *hile the others $lay) I thin" I ould handle his ,o!)@ IIIIIIIII To $lease an offi ial A!raham %in oln on e signed an order transferring ertain regiments) (e retary of War (tanton' on&in ed that the President had made a serious mista"e' refused to arry out the order) And for good measure he added <%in oln is a foolE@ When this *as re$orted to %in oln he said' <If (tanton said I am a fool then I must !e one' for he is almost al*ays right) I thin" I-ll ste$ o&er and see for myself)@ That is e/a tly *hat he did) (tanton on&in ed him that the order *as a mista"e and %in oln $rom$tly *ithdre* it) E&eryone "ne* that $art of %in oln-s greatness lay in the *ay he *el omed riti ism) IIIIIIIII A re ruit *as assigned to guard the entran e to the army am$ and *as gi&en instru tions to let no ar $ass if it did not ha&e a s$e ial $ennant) He had o asion to sto$ a ar !earing a General *ho $rom$tly told his dri&er to disregard the sentry and dri&e on) Whereu$on the re ruit ste$$ed for*ard' rifle at the ready' and almly said' <Pardon me' sir' !ut I-m ne* to this) Whom do I shoot? You' sir' or the dri&er?@ You a hie&e greatness *hen you are o!li&ious of the dignify of those a!o&e you' and ma"e those !elo* you o!li&ious of yours) When you are neither haughty *ith the hum!le nor hum!le *ith the haughty) IIIIIIIII There *as on e a Ra!!i *ho *as re&ered !y the $eo$le as a man of God) :ot a day *ent !y *hen a ro*d of $eo$le *asn-t standing at his door see"ing ad&i e or healing or the holy man-s !lessing) And ea h time the Ra!!i s$o"e the $eo$le *ould hang on his li$s' drin"ing in his e&ery *ord) There *as' ho*e&er' in the audien e a disagreea!le fello* *ho ne&er missed a han e to ontradi t the Master) He *ould o!ser&e the Ra!!i-s *ea"nesses and ma"e fun of his defe ts to the dismay of the dis i$les *ho !egan to loo" on him as the de&il in arnate)

Well' one day the <de&il@ too" ill and died) E&eryone hea&ed a sigh of relief) Out*ardly they loo"ed a$$ro$riately solemn !ut in their hearts they *ere glad for no longer *ould the Master-s ins$iring tal"s !e interru$ted or his !eha&iour riti ised !y this disres$e tful hereti ) (o the $eo$le *ere sur$rised to see the Master $lunged in genuine grief at the funeral) When as"ed !y a dis i$le later if he *as mourning o&er the eternal fate of the dead man' he said' <:o' no) Why should I mourn o&er our friend *ho is no* in hea&en? It *as for me I *as grie&ing) That man *as the only friend I had) Here I am surrounded !y $eo$le *ho re&ere me) He *as the only one *ho hallenged me) I fear that *ith him gone' I shall sto$ gro*ing)@ And as he said these *ords the Master !urst into tears) IIIIIIIII A *oman on e ame to Ra!!i Israel and told him her se ret sorro*0 she had !een married t*enty years and had still not !orne a son) <What a oin iden eE@ said the Ra!!i) <It *as e/a tly thus *ith my mother)@ And this is the story he told her; For t*enty years his mother had no hild) One day she heard that the holy 1al (hem To& *as in to*n so she hurried to the house he *as in and !egged him to $ray that she might ha&e a son) <What are you *illing to do a!out it?@ the holy man as"ed) <What an I do?@ she re$lied) <My hus!and is a $oor li!rarian !ut I do ha&e something I an offer the Ra!!i)@ With that she rushed home' $ulled a "atin"a out of the hest *here it had !een arefully stored a*ay and ran !a " again lo offer it to the Ra!!i' :o* the "atin"a' as e&eryone "no*s' *as the a$e *orn !y the !ride on her *edding day#a $re ious heirloom handed do*n from one generation to another) 1y the time the *oman got !a "' the Ra!!i had left for another to*n' so that is *here she *ent) 1eing $oor' ho*e&er' she had to *al" the distan e0 !y the time she got there the Ra!!i had left for another destination) (i/ *ee"s she follo*ed after him from to*n to to*n till she finally aught u$ *ith him) The Ra!!i too" the "atin"a and ga&e it to the lo al synagogue) The Ra!!i Israel on luded' <My mother *al"ed all the *ay !a " home) A year later I *as !orn)@ <What a oin iden e' indeedE@ ried the *oman) <I too ha&e a "atin"a at home) I shall !ring it to you at on e and if you offer it to the lo al synagogue God *ill gi&e me a son)@ <Ah' no' my dear'@ said the Ra!!i sadly' <that *ill not *or") The differen e !et*een my mother and you is this; you heard her story0 she had no story to go !y)@ After a saint uses a ladder it is thro*n a*ay and may ne&er !e used again) IIIIIIIII A large tru " *as mo&ing through a rail*ay under$ass *hen it got *edged in !et*een the road and the girders o&erhead) All the efforts of e/$erts to e/tri ate it $ro&ed useless and traffi *as stalled for miles on !oth sides of the under$ass) A little !oy "e$t trying to get the attention of the foreman !ut *as al*ays $ushed a*ay) Finally' in sheer e/as$eration' the foreman said' <I su$$ose you-&e ome to Fell us ho* to do this ,o!?@ <Yes'@ said the "id) <I suggest you let some air out of the tyres)@ In the layman-s mind there are many $ossi!ilities) In the e/$ert-s mind there are fe*) IIIIIIIII (ome*here in the 5634s a manufa turing on ern in the 2)() sent a ma hine to +a$an) A month later the om$any re ei&ed a a!le; MA>HI:E DOE( :OT WORH) (E:D MA: TO FIL) The om$any sent someone to +a$an) 1efore he had the o$$ortunity lo e/amine the ma hine' the om$any re ei&ed a se ond a!le; MA: TOO YO2:G' (E:D O%DER MA:) The om$any-s re$ly *as;

1ETTER 2(E HIM) HE I:.E:TED MA>HI:E) IIIIIIIII A enti$ede onsulted an o*l a!out the $ain it felt in its legs) (aid the o*l' <You ha&e far too many legsE If you !e ame a mouse you *ould ha&e only four legs#and one#t*enty#fourth the amount of $ain)@ <That-s a &ery good idea'@ said the enti$ede) <:o* sho* me ho* to !e ome a mouse)@ <Don-t !other me *ith details of im$lementation'@ said the o*l) <I only ma"e the $oli y in this $la e)@ IIIIIIIII A great $ainter as"ed a do tor friend to ome and loo" at *hat he thought *as his finest reation) The do tor su!,e ted the $ainting to a thorough e/amination' ta"# ing his time o&er e&ery detail) Ten minutes $assed and the artist !e ame some*hat a$$rehensi&e) <Well' *hat do you thin"?@ he as"ed) The do tor said' <It a$$ears to !e dou!le $neumonia)@ IIIIIIIII The dangers of trusting the e/$ert; A man re ei&ed a note from a friend *ritten in an illegi!le hand) After struggling to ma"e sense out of it he finally hit u$on the idea of enlisting the hel$ of the lo al druggist) The man at the drug store loo"ed hard at the note for a *hole minute' then too" a large !ro*n !ottle from the shelf' $la ed it on the ounter and said' <That *ill !e t*o dollars' $leaseE@ IIIIIIIII A grou$ of ollege students *as dissatisfied *ith the $oor Buality of the !eer that the afeteria ser&ed them) (ome of them got the !right idea of $ouring some in a !ottle and sending it to a hos$ital la!oratory in the ho$e of finding out *hat *as in the !eer) The follo*ing day they re ei&ed a note that said' <Your horse is suffering from ,aundi e)@ IIIIIIIII A dis i$le on e said to >onfu ius' <What are the !asi ingredients of good go&ernment?@ He ans*ered' <Food' *ea$ons and the trust of the $eo$le)@ <1ut'@ ontinued the dis i$le' if you *ere for ed to dis$ense *ith one of these three' *hi h *ould you dro$?@ <Wea$ons)@ <And if you had to dro$ one of the other t*o?@ <Food)@ <1ut *ithout food the $eo$le *ill dieE@ <From time immemorial' death has !een the lot of human !eings) 1ut a $eo$le that no longer trusts its rulers is lost indeed)@ IIIIIIIII When an a ident de$ri&ed the &illage headman of the use of his legs' he too" to *al"ing on rut hes) He gradually de&elo$ed the a!ility to mo&e *ith s$eed#e&en to dan e and e/e ute little $irouettes for the entertainment of his neigh!ours) Then he too" it into his head to train his hildren in the use of rut hes) It soon !e ame a status sym!ol in the &illage to *al" on rut hes and !efore long e&eryone *as doing so) 1y the fourth generation no one in the &illage ould *al" *ithout rut hes) The &illage s hool in luded <>rut hery#Theoreti al#A$$lied@ in its urri ulum and the &illage raftsmen !e ame famous for the Buality of the rut hes they $rodu ed)

There *as e&en tal" of de&elo$ing an ele troni ' !attery#o$erated set of rut hesE One day a Young Tur" $resented himself !efore the &illage elders and demanded to "no* *hy e&eryone had to *al" on rut hes sin e God had $ro&ided $eo$le *ith legs to *al" on) The &illage elders *ere amused that this u$start should thin" himself *iser than them so they de ided to tea h him a lesson) <Why don-t you sho* us ho*?@ they said) <Agreed'@ ried the young man) A demonstration *as fi/ed for ten o- lo " on the follo*ing (unday at the &illage sBuare) E&eryone *as there *hen the young man ho!!led on his rut hes to the middle of the sBuare and' *hen the &illage lo " !egan to stri"e the hour' stood u$right and dro$$ed his rut hes) A hush fell on the ro*d as he too" a !old ste$ for*ard#and fell flat on his fa e) With that e&eryone *as onfirmed in their !elief that it *as Buite im$ossi!le to *al" *ithout the hel$ of rut hes) IIIIIIIII While the *heel*right *as ma"ing a *heel at the lo*er end of the hall Prin e Huan of >h-i *as reading a !oo" at the u$$er end) Putting aside his hisel and mallet the *heel*right alled to the Prin e and as"ed him *hat !oo" he *as reading) <One that $reser&es the *ords of the (ages'@ said the Prin e) <Are those (ages ali&e?@ as"ed the *heel*right) <Oh) no)@ said the Prin e <they are all dead)@ <Then *hat you are reading an !e nothing !ut the dirt and s um of !ygone $eo$le'@ said the *heel*right) <Ho* dare you' a *heel*right' find fault *ith a !oo" that I am reading? +ustify your statement or you shall die)@ <Well' s$ea"ing as a *heel*right'@ said the man' <this Is ho* I loo" at the matter; *hen I am fashioning a *heel' if my stro"e is too slo* it uts dee$ !ut is not steady0 if my stro"e is too fast it is steady !ut does not ut dee$) The right $a e' neither too fast nor too slo*' *ill not get into the hand if it does not ome from the heart) It is something that annot !e $ut into *ords0 there is an art to it that I annot hand on to my son) That is *hy I annot let him ta"e o&er my *or"' so here I am at the age of se&enty#fi&e still ma"ing *heels) In my o$inion it must !e the same *ith those *ho ha&e gone !efore us) All that *as *orth handing on died *ith them0 the rest they $ut into their !oo"s) That is *hy I said that *hat you are reading is the dirt and s um of !ygone $eo$le)@ IIIIIIIII In the old days it *as ommon for $eo$le to use $a$er lanterns in +a$an) The $a$er shielded a lit andle and *as held together !y !am!oo sti "s) A !lind man ha$$ened to !e &isiting a friend and sin e it *as late' *as offered a lantern to ta"e home *ith him) He laughed at the suggestion) <Day and night are all one to me'@ he said) <What *ould I do *ith a lantern?@ His friend said' <You do not need it to find your *ay home' true) 1ut it might hel$ to $re&ent someone from running into you in the dar")@ (o the !lind man started off *ith the lantern) It *asn-t long !efore someone rashed into him' "no "ing him off !alan e) <Hey' you areless fello*E@ ried the !lind man) <>an-t you see this lantern?@ <1rother'@ said the stranger' <your lantern has gone out)@ You *al" more safely your o*n dar"ness than in someone else-s light) (PIRIT2A%ITY Gi&en the nature of the s$iritual Buest))) A man ame u$on a tall to*er and ste$$ed inside to find it all dar") As he gro$ed around he ame u$on a ir ular stair ase) >urious to "no* *here it led to he !egan

to lim! and' as he lim!ed' he sensed loo"ed !ehind him and *as horrified to $re&ious one fell off and disa$$eared) had no idea *here they led0 !ehind him IIIIIIIII

a gro*ing uneasiness in his heart) (o he see that ea h time he lim!ed a ste$' the 1efore him the stairs *ound u$*ard and he ya*ned an enormous !la " em$tiness)

Mtrue see"ers are rare))) When the "ing &isited the monasteries of the great Ken Master %in >hi he *as astonished to learn that there *ere more than ten thousand mon"s li&ing there *ith him) Wanting to "no* the e/a t num!er of the mon"s the "ing as"ed) <Ho* many dis i$les do you ha&e?@ %in >hi re$lied) <Four or Fi&e at the &ery most)@ IIIIIIIII Mim$ostors many))) A ou$le on their honeymoon *ere a!out to get into !ed at their hotel *hen a mas"ed !urglar !ro"e in) He dre* a hal" ir le on the floor' !e "oned to the hus# !and and said' <(tand there in that ir le) If you ste$ out of it I shall shoot you through the head)@ While the hus!and stood there !olt u$right' the !urglar too" e&erything he ould lay his hands on thre* it all into the sa " and *as a!out to get a*ay *hen he sa* the $retty !ride o&ered in nothing more than a sheet) He !e "oned to her' turned on the radio' made her dan e *ith him hugged her "issed her#and *ould ha&e ra$ed her if she hadn-t &aliantly fought him off) When the !urglar finally too" off' the *oman turned on her hus!and and yelled' <What "ind of a man are you that you stood there in the middle of that ir le doing nothing *hile I *as almost ra$edE@ <It isn-t true to say that I did nothing'@ the man $rotested) <Well' *hat did you do?@ <I defied him) Ea h time he had his !a " turned to*ards me' I stu " my foot out of the ir leE@ The "ind of danger *e are ready for is the "ind *e an fa e from a safe distan e) IIIIIIIII After thirty years of *at hing tele&ision' a hus!and said to his *ife' <%et-s do something really#e/ iting tonight)@ Instantly she on,ured u$ &isions of a night in to*n) <GreatE@ she said' <What shall *e do?@ <Welt' let-s e/ hange hairs)@ IIIIIIIII In a little frontier to*n there *as an old man *ho li&ed in the same house for fifty years) One day he sur$rised e&eryone !y mo&ing into the house ne/t door) Re$orters from the lo al $a$ers des ended on him to as" him *hy he had mo&ed) <I guess it *as the gy$sy in me'@ he re$lied *ith a self satisfied smile) Ha&e you heard of the man *ho a om$anied >hristo$her >olum!us on his e/$edition to the :e* World and "e$t *orrying the *hole time that he might not get !a " in time to su eed the old &illage tailor and someone e"e might snat h the ,o!? To su eed in the ad&enture alled s$irituality one must ha&e one-s mind set on getting the most out of life) Most $eo$le settle for trifles li"e *ealth' fame' omfort and human om$any) A man *as so enamoured of fame he *as ready to hang on a gi!!et if that *ould get his name in the headlines) Is there really any differen e !et*een him and most !usiness $eo$le and $oliti ians? F:ot to mention the rest of us *ho set su h store !y $u!li o$inionG) IIIIIIIII

Mfor the one essential is la "ing) A ording to an an ient Indian fa!le a mouse *as in onstant distress !e ause of its fear of the at) A magi ian too" $ity on it and turned it into a at) 1ut then it !e ame afraid of the dog) (o the magi ian turned it into a dog) Then it !egan to fear the $anther) (o the magi ian turned it into a $anther) Whereu$on it *as full of fear of the hunter) At this $oint the magi ian ga&e u$) He turned it into a mouse again saying) <:othing I do for you is going to !e of any hel$ !e ause you ha&e the heart of a mouse)@ IIIIIIIII A $riest *al"ed into a $u! indignant to find so many of his $arishioners there) He rounded them u$ and she$herded them into the hur h) Then he solemnly said) <All those *ho *ant to go to hea&en' ste$ o&er here to the left)@ E&eryone ste$$ed o&er e/ e$t one man *ho stu!!ornly stood his ground) The $riest loo"ed at him fier ely and said) <Don-t you *ant to go to hea&en?@ <:o)@ said the man) <Do you mean to stand there and tell me you don-t *ant to go to hea&en *hen you die?@ <Of ourse I *ant to go to hea&en *hen I die) I thought you *ere going no*E@ We are ready to go all the *ay #only *hen our !ra"es don-t *or") IIIIIIIII The 1uddhist nun alled Ryonen *as !orn in the year 5886) The famous +a$anese *arrior' (hingen' *as her grandfather) (he *as onsidered one of the lo&eliest *omen in the *hole of +a$an and a $oetess of no mean talent' so already at the age of se&enteen she *as hosen to ser&e at the royal ourt *here she de&elo$ed a great fondness for Her Im$erial Ma,esty the Em$ress) :o* the Em$ress died a sudden death and Ryonen under*ent a $rofound s$iritual e/$erien e; she !e ame a utely a*are of the $assing nature of all things) That *as *hen she made u$ her mind to study Ken) 1ut her family *ouldn-t hear of it) They $ra ti ally for ed her into marriage !ut not !efore she had e/tra ted from them and from her future hus!and the $romise that after she had !orne him three hildren she *ould !e free to !e ome a nun) This ondition *as fulfilled *hen she *as t*enty#fi&e) Then neither the $leas of her hus!and nor anything else in the *orld ould dissuade her from the tas" she had set her heart on) (he sha&ed her head' too" the name of Ryonen F*hi h means' to understand learlyE and set out on her Buest) (he ame to the ity of Edo and as"ed the Master Tet#sugyu to a e$t her as his dis i$le) He too" one loo" at her and re,e ted her !e ause she *as too !eautiful) (o she *ent to another Master' Ha"uo) He re,e ted her for the same reason0 her !eauty' he said' *ould only !e a sour e of trou!le) (o Ryonen !randed her fa e *ith a red hot iron there!y destroying her $hysi al !eauty fore&er) When she ame !a " into Ha"uo-s $resen e' he a e$ted her as a dis i$le) Ryonen *rote a $oem on the re&erse side of a little mirror to ommemorate the o asion; As a handmaid of my Em$ress I !urnt in ense to gi&e fragran e to my lo&ely lothes) :o* as a homeless#!eggar I !urn my fa e to enter the *orld of Ken) When she "ne* her time had ome to de$art this *orld she *rote another $oem;

(i/ty#si/ times ha&e these eyes !eheld the lo&eliness of Autumn)))

As" no more) Only listen to the sound of the $ines *hen no *ind stirs) IIIIIIIII On e u$on a time in a on entration am$ there li&ed a $risoner *ho' e&en though he *as under senten e of e/e ution' *as fearless and free) One day he *as seen in the middle of the $rison sBuare $laying his guitar) A large ro*d gathered to listen for' under the s$ell of the musi ' they !e ame as fearless as he) When the $rison authorities sa* this they for!ade the man to $lay) 1ut ne/t day there he *as again' singing and $laying on his guitar *ith a larger ro*d around him) The guards angrily dragged him a*ay and had his fingers ho$$ed off) :e/t day he *as !a "' singing and ma"ing *hat musi he ould *ith his !leeding fingers) This time the ro*ds *ere heering) The guards dragged him a*ay again and smashed his guitar) The follo*ing day he *as singing *ith all his heart) What a songE (o $ure and u$liftingE The ro*d ,oined in and *hile the singing lasted their hearts !e ame as $ure as his and their s$irits as in&in i!le) (o angry *ere the guards this time that they had his tongue torn out) A hush des ended on the am$' a something that *as deathless) To the astonishment of e&eryone' he *as !a " at his $la e ne/t day s*aying and dan ing to a silent musi that no one !ut he ould hear) And soon e&eryone *as holding hands and dan ing around his !leeding' !ro"en figure in the entre *hile the guards stood rooted to the ground in *onder) (udha >handran' a ontem$orary lassi al Indian dan er' *as ut off in the $rime of her dan ing areer#Buite literally' for her right leg had to !e am$utated) After she had !een fitted *ith an artifi ial leg she *ent !a " to dan ing arid' in redi!ly' made it right !a " to the to$ again) When as"ed ho* she had managed it' she said' Buite sim$ly' <You don-t need feet to dan e)@ IIIIIIIII A miser hid his gold at the foot of a tree in his garden) E&ery *ee" he *ould dig it u$ and loo" at it for hours) One day a thief dug u$ the gold and made off *ith it) When the miser ne/t ame to gaCe u$on his treasure all he found *as an em$ty hole) The man !egan to ho*l *ith grief so his neigh!ours ame running to find out *hat the trou!le *as) When they found out one of them as"ed' <Did you use any of the gold?@ <:o)@ said the miser) <I only loo"ed at it e&ery *ee")@ <Well' then)@ said the neigh!our' <for all the good the gold did you you might ,ust as *ell ome e&ery *ee" and gaCe u$on the hole)@ It is not !y our money !ut !y our a$a ity for en,oyment that *e are ri h or $oor) To stri&e for *ealth and ha&e no a$a ity for en,oyment) is to !e li"e the !ald man *ho struggles to olle t om!s) IIIIIIIII A re$orter *as attem$ting to get a hum an#interest story out of a &ery' &ery old man in a go&ernment#run home for the aged) <Grand$a'@ said the young re$orter' <ho* *ould you feel if you suddenly got a letter telling you that a distant relati&e had left you ten million dollars?@ <(on'@ said the old man slo*ly' <I *ould still !e ninety#fi&e years old' *ouldn-t I?@ IIIIIIIII T*o ,e*el mer hants arri&ed at a ara&an sarai in the desert at a!out the same time one night) Ea h *as Buite ons ious of the other-s $resen e and' *hile unloading his amel' one of them ould not resist the tem$tation to let a large

$earl fall to the ground as if !y a ident) It rolled in the dire tion of the other *ho' *ith affe ted gra iousness' $i "ed it u$ and returned it to its o*ner saying' <That is a fine $earl you ha&e there' sir) As large and lustrous as they ome)@ <Ho* gra ious of you to say so'@ said the other) <As a matter of fa t' that is one of the smaller gems in my olle tion)@ A 1edouin *ho *as sitting !y the fire and had o!ser&ed this drama' rose and in&ited the t*o of them to eat *ith him) When they !egan their meal' this is the story he told them; <I too' my friends' *as' on e u$on a time' a ,e*eller li"e you) One day I *as o&erta"en !y a great storm in the desert) It !uffeted me and my ara&an this *ay and that till I *as se$arated from my entourage and lost my *ay om$letely) Days $assed and I *as $ani #stri "en to realiCe that I *as really *andering a!out in ir les *ith no sense of *here I *as or *hi h dire tion to *al" in) Then' almost dead *ith star&ation' I unloaded e&ery !ag on my amel-s !a "' an/iously sear hing through them for the hundredth time) Imagine my e/ itement *hen I ame u$on a $ou h that had es a$ed my noti e !efore) With trem!ling fingers I ri$$ed it o$en ho$ing to find something to eat) Imagine my disillusionment *hen I found that all it ontained *as $earlsE@ IIIIIIIII A (ufi of for!idding a$$earan e arri&ed at the doors of the $ala e) :o one dared to sto$ him as he made his *ay right u$ to the throne on *hi h the saintly I!rahim !en Adam sat) <What is it you *ant?@ as"ed the "ing) <A $la e to slee$ in this ara&an serai)@ <This is no ara&anserai) This is my $ala e) <May I as" *ho o*ned this $la e !efore you?@ <My father) He is dead)@ <And *ho o*ned it !efore him?@ <My grandfather) He is dead too)@ <And this $la e *here $eo$le lodge for a !rief *hile and mo&e on#did I hear you say it *as not a ara&anserai?@ E&eryone-s in the de$arture loungeE IIIIIIIII A miser had a umulated fi&e hundred thousand dinars and loo"ed for*ard to a year of $leasant li&ing !efore he made u$ his mind ho* !est to in&est his money' *hen suddenly the Angel of Death a$$eared !efore him to ta"e his life a*ay) The man !egged and $leaded and used a thousand arguments to !e allo*ed to li&e a little longer' !ut the Angel *as o!durate) <Gi&e me three days of life and I shall gi&e you half my fortune'@ the man $leaded) The Angel *ouldn-t hear of it and !egan to tug at him' <Gi&e me ,ust one day' I !eg of you' and you an ha&e e&erything I a umulated through so mu h s*eat and toil)@ The Angel *as adamant still) He *as a!le to *ring ,ust one little on ession from the Angel#a fe* moments in *hi h to *rite do*n this note; <Oh you' *hoe&er you are that ha$$en to find this note' if you ha&e enough to li&e on' don-t *aste your life a umulating fortunes) %i&eE My fi&e hundred thousand dinars ould not !uy me a single hour of lifeE@ When millionaires die and $eo$le as"' <Ho* mu h did they lea&e?@ the ans*er is' of ourse' <E&erything)@ And sometimes) <They didn-t lea&e it) They *ere ta"en a*ay from it)@ IIIIIIIII The Indian mysti Rama"rishna used to say; God laughs on t*o o asions) He laughs *hen he hears a $hysi ian say to a mother' <Don-t !e afraid' I shall ure the !oy)@ God says to himself' <I am $lanning to ta"e the life of the hild and this man thin"s he an sa&e itE@ He also laughs *hen he sees t*o !rothers di&ide their land !y means of a !oundary

line saying' <This side !elongs to me and the other side to you)@ He says to himself' <The uni&erse !elongs to me and they laim to o*n $ortions of itE@ When they ame to tell a man that his house had !een arried a*ay !y the flood' he laughed and said' <Im$ossi!leE I ha&e the "ey to the house right here in my $o "etE@ IIIIIIIII And 1uddha said; <This land is mine' these sons are mine'@#su h are the *ords of the fool *ho does not understand that e&en he is not his) You ne&er realty $ossess things' You merely hold them for a *hile) If you are una!le to gi&e them a*ay you are held !y them) Whate&er you treasure must !e held in the hollo* of your hand as *ater is held) >lut h at it and it is gone) A$$ro$riate it to yourself and you soil it) (et it free and it is fore&er yours) IIIIIIIII Here is a story a Master told his dis i$les to sho* *hat damage a single trifling atta hment an do to those *ho ha&e !e ome ri h in s$iritual gifts; A &illager *as on e riding $ast a a&e in a mountain at the $re ise moment *hen it made one of its rare magi al a$$earan es to all *ho *ished to enri h themsel&es from its treasures) He mar hed into the a&e and found *hole mountains of ,e*els and $re ious stones that he hurriedly stuffed into the saddle!ags of his mule' for he "ne* the legend a ording to *hi h the a&e *ould !e o$en for only a &ery limited $eriod of time so its treasures had to !e ta"en in haste) The don"ey *as fully loaded and he set off re,oi ing at his good fortune' *hen he suddenly remem!ered he had left his sti " in the a&e) He turned !a " and rushed into the a&e) 1ut the time for the a&e to disa$$ear had arri&ed and so he disa$$eared *ith it and *as ne&er seen again) After *aiting for him a year or t*o the &illagers sold the treasure they found on the don"ey and !e ame the !enefi iaries of the unfortunate man-s good lu ") When the s$arro* !uilds its nest in the forest it o u$ies !ut a single !ran h) When the deer sta"es its thirst at the ri&er it drin"s no more than its !elly an hold) We olle t things !e ause our hearts are em$ty) IIIIIIIII There *as an old Ken Master alled :ono"o *ho li&ed alone in a hut at the foot of a mountain) One night *hile :ono"o *as sitting in meditation a stranger !ro"e into the hut and' !randishing a s*ord' demanded :ono"o-s money) :ono"o did not interru$t his meditation *hile he addressed the man; <All my money is in a !o*l on the shelf u$ there) Ta"e all you need' !ut lea&e me fi&e yen) I ha&e to $ay my ta/es' ne/t *ee")@ The stranger em$tied the !o*l of all the money it held and thre* fi&e yen !a " into it) He also hel$ed himself to a $re ious &ase he found on the shelf) <>arry that &ase *ith are'@ said :ono"o) <It *ill ra " easily)@ The stranger loo"ed around the small !arren room on e more and *as going to lea&e) <You ha&en-t said than" you'@ said :ono"o) The man said than" you and left) The ne/t day the *hole &illage *as in turmoil) Many $eo$le laimed they had !een ro!!ed) (omeone noti ed the &ase missing from the shelf in :ono"o-s hut and as"ed if he too had !een the &i tim of the !urglar) <Oh' no'@ said :ono"o' <I ga&e the

&ase to a stranger' along *ith some money) He than"ed me and left) He *as a $leasant enough sort of fello* !ut a !it areless *ith his s*ordE@ IIIIIIIII A ri h Muslim *ent to the mosBue after a $arty and had to ta"e off his e/$ensi&e shoes and lea&e them outside the mosBue) When he ame out after $rayer the shoes *ere gone) <Ho* thoughtless of me'@ he said to himself) <1y foolishly lea&ing those shoes here I *as the o asion for someone to steal them) I *ould ha&e gladly gi&en them to him) :o* I am res$onsi!le for reating a thief)@ IIIIIIIII True $hiloso$her that he *as' (o rates !elie&ed that the *ise $erson *ould instin ti&ely lead a frugal life) He himself *ould not e&en *ear shoes0 yet he onstantly fell under the s$ell of the mar"et$la e and *ould go there often to loo" at all the *ares on dis$lay) When one of his friends as"ed *hy' (o rates said' <I lo&e to go there and dis o&er ho* many things I am $erfe tly ha$$y *ithout)@ ($irituality is not "no*ing *hat you *ant !ut understanding *hat you do not need) IIIIIIIII Peo$le ha&e !een "no*n to ma"e a ri h life for themsel&es and others *ith &ery fe* $ossessions) There *as a grou$ of elderly gentlemen in +a$an *ho *ould meet to e/ hange ne*s and drin" tea) One of their di&ersions *as to sear h for ostly &arieties of lea and reate ne* !lends that *ould delight the $alate) When it *as the turn of the oldest mem!er of the grou$ to entertain the others' he ser&ed tea *ith the greatest eremony' measuring out the lea&es from a golden ontainer) E&eryone had the highest $raise for the tea and demanded to "no* !y *hat $arti ular om!ination he had arri&ed at this e/Buisite !lend) The old man smiled and said' <Gentlemen' the tea that you find so delightful is the one that is drun" !y the $easants on my farm) The finest things in life are neither ostly nor hard to find)@ IIIIIIIII The guru sat in meditation on the ri&er !an" *hen a dis i$le !ent do*n to $la e t*o enormous $earls at his feet' a to"en of re&eren e and de&otion) The guru o$ened his eyes' lifted one of the $earls and held it so arelessly that it sli$$ed out of his hand and rolled do*n the !an" into the ri&er) The horrified dis i$le $lunged in after it !ut' though he di&ed in again and again till late e&ening' he had no lu ") Finally' all *et and e/hausted' he roused the guru from his meditation; <You sa* *here it fell) (ho* me the s$ot so I an get it !a " for you)@ The guru lifted the other $earl' thre* it into the ri&er and said' <Right thereE@ Do not attem$t to $ossess things for things annot really !e $ossessed# Only ma"e sure you are not $ossessed !y them and you *ill !e the so&ereign of reation) IIIIIIIII When 1uddha entered the a$ital of Hing Pransan,it' the Hing in $erson ame out to him) He had !een a friend of 1uddha-s father and had heard of the lad-s renun iation) (o he attem$ted to $ersuade 1uddha to gi&e u$ his life as a *andering !eggar and return to the $ala e' thin"ing he *as doing a ser&i e to his old friend) 1uddha loo"ed into the eyes of Prasan,it and said' <Ans*er me truthfully) For all your outer merriment' has your "ingdom !rought you a single day of ha$$iness?@ Prasan,it lo*ered his eyes and *as silent) There is no greater ,oy than to ha&e no ause for sorro*0 :o greater *ealth than ontentment *ith *hat one has)

IIIIIIIII A mon"ey and a hyena *ere *al"ing through the forest *hen the hyena said' <Ea h time I $ass !y those !ushes there a lion ,um$s out of them and mauls me) I don-t "no* *hy)@ <I-ll *al" *ith you this time'@ said the mon"ey' <and side *ith you against the lion)@ (o they started to *al" $ast the !ushes *hen the lion $oun ed on the hyena and nearly mauled it to death) Mean*hile the mon"ey *at hed the $ro eedings from the safety of a tree that he had run u$ the moment the lion had a$$eared) <Why didn-t you do something to hel$ me?@ moaned the hyena) (aid the mon"ey' <You *ere laughing so mu h I thought you *ere *inning)@ IIIIIIIII The great 1uddhist saint :agar,una mo&ed around na"ed e/ e$t for a loin# loth and' in ongruously' a golden !egging#!o*l gifted to him !y the "ing *ho *as his dis i$le) One night he *as a!out to lie do*n to slee$ among the ruins of an an ient monastery *hen he noti ed a thief lur"ing !ehind one of the olumns) <Here' ta"e this'@ said :agar,una' holding out the !egging !o*l) <That *ay you *on-t distur! me on e I ha&e fallen aslee$)@ The thief eagerly gra!!ed the !o*l and made off#only to return ne/t morning *ith the !o*l and a reBuest) He said' <When you ga&e a*ay this !o*l so freely last night' you made me feel &ery $oor) Tea h me ho* to a Buire the ri hes that ma"e this "ind of light#hearted deta hment $ossi!le)@ :o one an ta"e from you *hat you ne&er too" to yourself) IIIIIIIII One of +unaid-s follo*ers ame to him *ith a $urse full of gold oins) <Ha&e you any more gold oins?@ as"ed +unaid) <Yes' many more)@ =And you are atta hed to them?@ =-I am)@ <Then you must "ee$ this too' for your need is greater than mine) (in e I ha&e nothing and desire nothing I am mu h *ealthier than you are' you see)@ The heart of the enlightened is li"e a mirror; It gras$s nothing' refuses nothing0 it re ei&es !ut does not "ee$) IIIIIIIII A Aua"er had this sign $ut u$ on a &a ant $ie e of land ne/t to his home; THI( %A:D WI%% 1E GI.E: TO A:YO:E WHO I( TR2%Y (ATI(FIED) A *ealthy farmer *ho *as riding !y sto$$ed to read the sign and said to himself' <(in e our friend the Aua"er is so ready to $art *ith this $lot I might as *ell laim it !efore someone else does' I am a ri h man and ha&e all I need' so I ertainly Bualify)@ With that he *ent u$ to the door and e/$lained *hat he *as there for) <And is thee truly satisfied?@ the Aua"er as"ed) <I am' indeed' for I ha&e e&erything I need)@ <Friend'@ said the Aua"er' <if thee is satisfied' <What does thee *ant the %and for?@ While others stri&e for *ealth the enlightened' !eing ontent *ith *hat they ha&e' $ossess it *ithout stri&ing) 1eing *ell ontent *ith little they are ri h as "ings) A "ing himself is a $au$er *hen his "ingdom does not suffi e him) IIIIIIIII Hing Pyrrhus of E$irus *as a$$roa hed !y his friend >yneas and as"ed' <If you onBuer Rome' *hat *ill you do ne/t' sir?@

Pyrrhus re$lied) <(i ily is ne/t door and *ill !e easy to ta"e)@ <And *hat shall *e do after (i ily is ta"en?@ <Then *e *ill mo&e o&er to Afri a and sa " >arthage)<And after >arthage' sir?@ <The turn of Gree e *ill ome) <And *hat' may I as"' *ill the fruit of all these onBuests !e?@ <Then'@ said Pyrrhus' <*e an sit do*n and en,oy oursel&es)@ <>an *e not'@ said >yneas' <en,oy oursel&es no*?@ The $oor thin" they *ill !e ha$$y *hen they !e ome ri h) The ri h thin" they *ill !e ha$$y *hen they are rid of their ul ers) IIIIIIIII A man and his *ife *ent to &isit friends in another $art of the ountry and *ere ta"en to a ra e ourse) Fas inated !y the sight of horses hasing one another round a tra "' the t*o of them "e$t !etting all e&ening till they had no more than t*o dollars left) The follo*ing day the man $re&ailed u$on his *ife to let him go to the ourse alone) There *as a horse *ith a fifty#to#one odds on it in the first ra e) He !et on the horse and it *on) He $ut all the money he *on on another long shot in the ne/t ra e and again he *on) He "e$t doing this all e&ening and his entire earnings ame to fifty#se&en thousand dollars) On the *ay !a " home he $assed !y a gam!ling den) An inner &oi e' the same that seemed to ha&e guided him in his hoi e of horses' seemed to say' <(to$ here and go in)@ (o he sto$$ed' *ent in and found himself standing in front of a roulette *heel) The &oi e said' <:um!er thirteen)@ The man $ut all of his fifty#se&en thousand on num!er thirteen) The *heel s$un) The rou$ier announ ed' <:um!er fourteen)@ (o the man *al"ed !a " home *ith nothing in his $o "et) His *ife alled out to him from the $or h) <Ho* did it go?@ The hus!and shrugged his shoulders) <I lost the t*o dollars'@ he said) >ome to thin" of it' you ne&er lose any more than that no matter *hat you lose) IIIIIIIII 1uddha seemed Buite unruffled !y the insults hurled at him !y a &isitor) When his dis i$les later as"ed him *hat the se ret of his serenity *as' he said; <Imagine *hat *ould ha$$en if someone $la ed an offering !efore you and you did not $i " it u$) Or someone sent you a letter that you refused to o$en0 you *ould !e unaffe ted !y its ontents' *ould you not? Do this ea h time you are a!used and you *ill not lose your serenity)@ The only "ind of dignity *hi h is genuine is that *hi h is not diminished !y the disres$e t of others) You don-t diminish the ma,esty of :iagara Falls !y s$itting in it) IIIIIIIII T*o inmates of a deaf#and#dum! institution had a Buarrel) When an offi ial ame to straighten things out !et*een them he found one of the men standing *ith his !a " to the other' sha"ing *ith laughter) <What-s the ,o"e? Why is your $artner here loo"ing so angry?@ the offi ial as"ed' s$ea"ing *ith his fingers) <1e ause'@ the mute re$lied' also *ith the fingers' <he *ants to s*ear at me !ut I refuse to loo"E@ IIIIIIIII One day Hasan of 1asra sa* Ra!i-a al Ada*iya near the ri&erside) >asting his

$rayer mat on the *ater he ste$$ed on to it and said' <O Ra!i-a' ome let us $ray together)@ Ra!i-a said' <O Hasan' *hy ha&e you set yourself u$ li"e a salesman in the !aCaar of this *orld? You do this !e ause of your *ea"ness)@ With that she thre* her $rayer mat into the air' fle* u$ on to it and said' <>ome u$ here' Hasan' so that $eo$le may see us'@ 1ut that *as more than Hasan ould a om$lish' so he *as silent) Ra!i-a' *ishing to gain his heart' said' <O Hasan' a fish an do *hat you did and a fly an do *hat I did) The real *or" lies !eyond !oth of these0 that is *hat *e must o u$y oursel&es *ith)@ IIIIIIIII 1uddha *as on e threatened *ith death !y a !andit alled Angulimal) <Then !e good enough to fulfil my dying *ish'@ said 1uddha# <>ut off the !ran h of that tree#@ One slash of the s*ord' and it *as doneE <What no*?@ as"ed the !andit) <Put it !a " again'@ said 1uddha) The !andit laughed) <You must !e raCy to thin" that anyone an do that)@ <On the ontrary' it is you *ho are raCy to thin" that you are mighty !e ause you an *ound and destroy) That is the tas" of hildren) The mighty "no* ho* to reate and heal)@ The !attering ram an demolish a *all0 it annot heal the !rea h) IIIIIIIII A &isitor to an insane asylum found one of the inmates ro "ing !a " and forth in a hair ooing re$eatedly in a soft' ontented manner' <%ulu' %ulu)))@ <What-s this man-s $ro!lem?@ he as"ed the do tor) <%ulu) (he *as the *oman *ho ,ilted him'@ *as the do tor-s re$ly) As they $ro eeded on the tour they ame to a $added ell *hose o u$ant *as !anging his head re$eatedly against the *all and moaning' <%ulu' %ulu)))@ <Is %ulu this man-s $ro!lem too?@ as"ed the &isitor) <Yes'@ said the do tor) <He-s the one %ulu finally married)@ There are only t*o affli tions in life#not getting *hat you are atta hed to and getting *hat you are atta hed to) IIIIIIIII A young !usiness e/e uti&e $honed his foreign re$resentati&e one day and tersely announ ed; <I am alling to gi&e' instru tions) This all *ill last no more than three minutes) I shall s$ea" and you are not to interru$t) Any omments or Bueries you ha&e are to !e a!led to me later)@ With that he *ent on to deli&er his message) His deli&ery *as so ra$id that he finished a little ahead of time) <We ha&e t*enty se onds left'@ he told the man at the other end) <Ha&e you anything to say?@ <Yes'@ ame the re$ly) <You s$o"e so fast I ouldn-t understand a *ord)@ A good *ay to o&er less distan e in more time is to go faster) IIIIIIIII A young man ame to a Master and as"ed' <Ho* long is it li"ely to ta"e me to attain enlightenment?@ (aid the Master) <Ten years)@ The young man *as sho "ed) <(o long?@ he as"ed in redulously) (aid the Master' <:o' that *as a mista"e) It *ill ta"e you t*enty years)@ The young man as"ed' <Why did you dou!le the figure?@ (aid the Master' <>ome to thin" of it' in your ase it *ill $ro!a!ly !e thirty)@ (ome $eo$le *ill ne&er learn anything !e ause they gras$ e&erything too soon) Wisdom' after all' is not a station you arri&e at !ut a manner of tra&elling) If you tra&el too fast you *ill miss the s enery) To "no* e/a tly *here you-re headed may !e the !est *ay to go astray) :ot all

those *ho loiter are lost) IIIIIIIII An Ameri an $rea her in 1ei,ing as"ed the *aiter in a restaurant *hat Religion *as for the >hinese) The *aiter too" him out to the !al ony and as"ed' <What do you see' sir?@ <I see a street and houses and $eo$le *al"ing and !uses and ta/is $lying)@ <What else?@ <Trees)@ <What else?@ <The *ind is !lo*ing)@ The >hinese e/tended his arms and e/ laimed' <That is Religion' sirE@ ) You-re sear hing for it the *ay someone sear hes for sight *ith o$en eyesE It Is too lear that it is hard to see) IIIIIIIII Dis i$le; <What is the Tao?@ Master; <E&erything is Tao)@ Dis i$le; <Ho* an I get it?@ Master; <If you try to get it' you *ill miss it)@ :o one is e&er natural *ho tries to !e natural0 )or tries not to tryE IIIIIIIII An old *oman in >hina su$$orted a mon" for more than t*enty years) (he !uilt him a little hut and fed him *hile he s$ent all his time in meditation) At the end of this $eriod she *ondered *hat $rogress the man had made' she de ided to $ut him to the test !y enlisting the hel$ of a girl aflame *ith desire) <Go into the hut'@ she told the girl'@ and em!ra e him) Then say' =What shall *e do no*?-@ The girl alled on the mon" at night to find him at his meditation) Without further ado she !egan to aress him and said' <What are *e going to do no*?@ The mon" got into a to*ering rage at this im$ertinen e) He too" hold of a !room and dro&e the girl out of the hut) When she got !a " and re$orted *hat had ha$$ened' the old *oman *as indignant) <To thin" that I fed that fello* for t*enty years'@ she e/ laimed) <He sho*ed no understanding of your need' no dis$osition to guide you in your error) He need not ha&e gi&en in to $assion0 !ut after all these years of $rayer he ould at least ha&e de&elo$ed some om$assion)@ IIIIIIIII The de&otee "nelt to !e initiated into dis i$leshi$) The guru *his$ered the sa red mantra into his ear' *arning him not to re&eal it to anyone) <What *ill ha$$en if I do?@ as"ed the de&otee) (aid the guru' <Anyone you re&eal the mantra to *ill !e li!erated from the !ondage of ignoran e and suffering' !ut you yourself *ill !e e/ luded from dis i$leshi$ and suffer damnation)@ :o sooner had he heard those *ords than the de&otee rushed to the mar"et$la e' olle ted a large ro*d around him and re$eated the sa red mantra for alt to hear) The dis i$les later re$orted this to the guru and demanded that the man !e e/$elled from the monastery for his diso!edien e) The guru smiled and said' <He has no need of anything I an tea h) His a tion has sho*n him to !e a guru in his o*n right)@ IIIIIIIII When 1uddha One day t*o meditation) too mu h or first em!ar"ed u$on his s$iritual Buest he $ra tised many austerities) musi ians ha$$ened to $ass !y the tree under *hi h he *as sitting in One *as saying to the other' <Do not tighten the strings of your sitar they *ill sna$) Do not "ee$ them too loose either or they *ill $rodu e

no musi ) Hee$ to the middle $ath)@ Those *ords hit 1uddha *ith su h for e that they re&olutioniCed his *hole a$$roa h to s$irituality) He *as on&in ed they had !een said for him) From that minute on he ga&e u$ all his se&erities and !egan to follo* a *ay that *as easy and light' the *ay of moderation) In fa t' his a$$roa h to enlightenment is alled the Middle Path) IIIIIIIII There *as on e a &ery austere man *ho let no food or drin" $ass his li$s *hile the sun *as in the hea&ens) In *hat seemed to !e a sign of hea&enly a$$ro&al for his austerities a !right star shone on to$ of a near!y mountain' &isi!le to e&eryone in !road daylight' though no one "ne* *hat !rought the star there) One day the man de ided to lim! the mountain) A little &illage girl insisted on going *ith him) The day *as *arm and soon the t*o *ere thirsty) He urged the hild to drin" !ut she said she *ould not unless he dran" too) The $oor man *as in a Buandary) He hated to !rea" his fast0 !ut he hated to see the hild suffer from thirst) Finally' he dran") And the hild *ith him) For a long time he dared not loo" u$ to the s"y for he feared the star had gone) (o imagine his sur$rise *hen' on loo"ing u$ after a *hile' he sa* t*o stars shining !rightly a!o&e the mountain) IIIIIIIII H2MA: :AT2RE Human !eings rea t' not to reality' !ut to ideas in their heads))) A grou$ of tourists' stranded some*here in the ountryside' *ere gi&en old rations to eat) 1efore eating the food they tested it !y thro*ing some of it to a dog *ho seemed to en,oy it and suffered no after effe ts) The follo*ing day they learnt that the dog had died) E&eryone *as $ani #stri "en) Many !egan to &omit and om$lained of fe&er and dysentery) A do tor *as alled in to treat the &i tims for food $oisoning) The do tor !egan !y as"ing *hat had ha$$ened to the !ody of the dog) EnBuiries *ere made) A neigh!our said asually' <Oh' it *as thro*n in a dit h !e ause it got run o&er !y a ar)@ IIIIIIIII Pestilen e *as on its *ay to Damas us and s$ed !y a hief-s ara&an in the desert) <Where are you s$eeding to?@ as"ed the hief) <To Damas us) I mean to ta"e a thousand li&es)@ On its *ay !a " from Damas us' Pestilen e $assed !y the ara&an again) The hief said' <It *as J4'444 li&es that you too"' not a 5'444)@ <:o'@ said the Pestilen e) <I too" a thousand) It *as Fear that too" the rest)@ IIIIIIIII They see' not *hat Tommy had ,ust got <Were there other <Yes'@ said Tommy) <1oys or girls?@ <Ho* ould I "no*? IIIIIIIII is there !ut *hat they ha&e !een trained to see) !a " from the !ea h) hildren there?@ as"ed his mother) They didn-t ha&e any lothes on)@

Their ulture and their onditioning offer them an <ele&ator e/isten e)@ The im$atient do*ager $ressed the ele&ator !utton and fumed !e ause it did not a$$ear at on e) When it finally did' she sna$$ed at the o$erator' <Where ha&e you !een?@ <%ady' *here an you go in an ele&ator?@ IIIIIIIII

The *alls that im$rison them A !ear $a ed u$ and do*n the When' after fi&e years' the do*n those t*enty feet as if IIIIIIIII

are mental' not real) t*enty feet that *as the length of his age) age *as remo&ed' the !ear ontinued to $a e u$ and the age *as there) It *as) For himE

T*o gentlemen of unsteady gait *aited im$atiently at the !us terminal late at night long after the !uses had eased to $ly) A ou$le of hours $assed !efore they realised' in their drun"en stu$or that the last !us had gone) (eeing se&eral !uses $ar"ed at the de$ot' they de ided to !orro* one and dri&e themsel&es home) To their disa$$ointment' they ouldn-t find the !us they *anted) <>an you !elie&e it?@ said one) <A hundred !uses and not a single num!er 3N in the *hole lotE@ <:e&er mindE@ said the other) <%et-s ta"e a 99 u$ to its last sto$ and *al" the rest of the t*o miles home)@ IIIIIIIII What they lo&e or hate is not the essen e of things or $ersons !ut only their onfiguration) A young !oy de&elo$ed *hat ould only !e alled a sand*i h $ho!ia) Any time he sa* a sand*i h he *ould trem!le and s ream *ith fear) His mother *as so u$set a!out this' she too" him to a thera$ist *ho said' <The $ho!ia is easily remo&ed) Ta"e the lad home and let him see you ma"e a sand*i h from !eginning to end) This *ill dis$el any silly notions he has a!out a sand*i h and he-ll sto$ trem!ling and s reaming)@ That is ,ust *hat the mother did) (he too" t*o sli es of !read in her hands and said' <Are you afraid of this?@ The !oy said' <:o'@ (he sho*ed him the !utter) Was he afraid of that? :o' he *asn-t) (he let him see her s$read the !utter o&er the !read) :e/t ame the lettu e) Was he afraid of that? :o' he *asn-t) The lettu e *as $la ed on the !read) Ho* a!out the tomato sli es? Anything to !e afraid of there? :o' there *asn-t) (o those *ent on to$ of the lettu e) Any fear of the !a on stri$s? :o#fear0 none at all) (o those *ent on to$ of the tomato sli es) :o* she held one $iled u$ sli e in ea h hand and sho*ed the sli es to the !oy) (till no fear) 1ut the moment she !rought the t*o sli es together to form a sand*i h he shrie"ed' <(and*i hE (and*i hE@ and !egan to trem!le and !e &ery frightened) A young man !lind from !irth' fell in lo&e *ith a girl) All *ent *ell until a friend told him the girl *asn-t too good loo"ing) At that minute he lost all interest in her) Too !adE He had !een <seeing@ her &ery *ell) It *as his friend *ho *as !lindE IIIIIIIII E/amine *hat they are $leased to all their free and res$onsi!le !eha&iour' and you are li"ely to find' not ons ious a tion' !ut me hani al mo&ement))) It is said that *hen the Great %i!rary of Ale/andria *as !urnt do*n' only one !oo" sur&i&ed) It *as a &ery ordinary !oo"' dull and uninteresting so it *as sold for a fe* $ennies to a $oor man *ho !arely "ne* ho* to read) :o* that !oo"' dull and uninteresting as it seemed' *as $ro!a!ly the most &alua!le !oo" in the *orld for on the inside of the !a " o&er *ere s ra*led in large' round letters a fe* senten es that ontained the se ret of the Tou hstone#a tiny $e!!le that ould turn anything it tou hed into $ure gold) The *riting de lared that this $re ious $e!!le *as lying some*here on the shore of the 1la " (ea among thousands of other $e!!les that *ere e/a tly li"e it' e/ e$t in this one $arti ular that' *hereas all the other $e!!les *ere old to the tou h' this one *as *arm as if it *ere ali&e) The man re,oi ed at his good lu ") He sold e&erything he had' !orro*ed a large sum of money that *ould last him a year and made for the 1la " (ea *here he set u$ tent and !egan the $ainsta"ing tas" of

sear hing for the Tou hstone) This *as the *ay he *ent a!out it; he *ould lift a $e!!le0 if it *as old to the tou h he *ould not thro* it !a " on the shore !e ause if he did that' he might !e lifting and feeling the same stone doCens of time0 no' he *ould thro* it into the sea) (o ea h day for hours on end he $erse&ered in his $atient endea&our; lift a $e!!le' if it felt old' thro* it into the sea0 lift another)))and so on' endlessly) He s$ent a *ee"' a month' ten months' a *hole year at this tas") Then he !orro*ed some more money and "e$t at it for another t*o years) On and on he *ent; lift a $e!!le' feel it)))it *as old' thro* it into the sea) Hour after hour0 day after day0 *ee" after *ee")))still no Tou hstone) One e&ening he $i "ed u$ a $e!!le and it *as *arm to the tou h#and' through sheer for e of ha!it' he thre* it into the 1la " (eaE IIIIIIIII Mand $rogrammed res$onses) A s ientist had s$ent ten years resear hing the $ossi!ility of transforming *ater into $etroleum) He *as on&in ed that all he needed *as one su!stan e to effe t the needed transformation !ut' try as he might' the formula eluded him) One day he learnt that high u$ in the mountains of Ti!et there li&ed a %ama *ho *as all#"no*ing and ould re&eal to him the formula he sought' There *ere three onditions' ho*e&er; he had to tra&el there alone' and the ,ourney *as haCardous0 he had to tra&el on foot' and the ,ourney *as arduous0 and' if he e&er made it to the $resen e of the %ama' he *ould !e allo*ed to as" one' and only one' Buestion) It too" him many months of hardshi$ and danger to fulfil the first t*o onditions) And *hen he *as !rought into the $resen e of the %ama' imagine his sho " to find' not a *iCened' !earded old man he e/$e ted !ut an attra ti&e young *oman' lo&elier far than anything he ould ha&e imagined) (he smiled at him s*eetly and' in a &oi e that to his ear sounded hea&enly' she said' <>ongratulations' tra&ellerE You ha&e made it to our mountain fastness) :o* *hat is your Buestion)@ To his o*n great sur$rise the s ientist heard himself saying' <Ma-am' may I "no* if you are married?@ IIIIIIIII Instead of tou hing reality they res$ond to stereoty$es))) At the final dinner of an international onferen e' an Ameri an delegate turned to the >hinese delegate sitting ne/t to him $ointed to the sou$ and as"ed' some*hat ondes endingly' <%i"ee sou$ee?@ The >hinese gentleman nodded eagerly) A little later' it *as' <%i"ee fishee@ and <%i"ee meatee- and <%i"ee fruitee@#and al*ays the res$onse *as an affa!le nod) At the end of the dinner the hairman of the onferen e introdu ed the guest s$ea"er of the e&ening# none other than the >hinese gentleman *ho deli&ered a $enetrating' *itty dis ourse in im$e a!le English mu h to the astonishment of his Ameri an neigh!our) When the s$ee h *as o&er' the s$ea"er turned to his neigh!our and' *ith a mis hie&ous t*in"le in his eye' as"ed' <%i"ee s$ee hee?@ IIIIIIIII M))or rigid $rin i$les))) T*o game#hunters *ere in&ol&ed in a la*suit against ea h other) One of them as"ed his la*yer if it *ouldn-t !e a good idea to send the ,udge a !ra e of $artridges) The la*yer *as horrified) <This ,udge $rides himself on his in orru$ti!ility'@ he said) <A gesture li"e this *ill ha&e ,ust the o$$osite effe t from the one you intend)@ After the ase *as o&er#and *on#the man in&ited his la*yer to dinner and than"ed him for the ad&i e on erning the $artridges) <I did send them to the ,udge' you

"no*'@ he said' <on !ehalf of our O$$onent)@ Moral indignation an !lind one as effe ti&ely as &enality) IIIIIIIII Mor a$$earan es))) A little girl' *ho had !een told that %in oln *asn-t &ery good#loo"ing' *as ta"en !y her father to see the President at the White House) %in oln too" her on his "nee and hatted *ith her for a *hile in his gentle' humorous *ay) (uddenly the little girl alled out' <DaddyE He isn-t ugly at all) He-s ,ust !eautifulE@ IIIIIIIII A little !la " !oy *as *at hing the !alloon man at the >ountry Fair) The man *as e&idently a good salesman' !e ause he allo*ed a red !alloon to !rea" loose and soar high u$ in the air' there!y attra ting a ro*d of $ros$e ti&e young ustomers) Then he released a !lue !alloon' then a yello* one and a *hite one) They all *ent soaring u$ into the s"y until they disa$$eared) The little !la " !oy stood loo"ing at the !la " !alloon for a long time' then as"ed' <(ir' it you sent the !la " one u$ *ould it go as high as the others?@ The !alloon man ga&e the "id an understanding smile) He sna$$ed the string that held the !la " !alloon in $la e and' as it soared u$*ards' said' <It isn-t the olour' son) It-s *hat-s inside that ma"es it rise)@ IIIIIIIII ))or la!els))) Issa Goldstein ran into a ousin of his in :e* Yor") <Ho* are things *ith you?@ he as"ed) <Ha&en-t you heard?@ as"ed the ousin) <I-m a $artner in the firm of Mur$hy)@ <Goldstein and Mur$hy? :o* isn-t that *onderfulE That-s *hat Ameri a $eo$le of different nationalities doing !usiness in $artnershi$) 1ut onfess it is something of a sur$rise)@ <You all that a sur$rise? Well' I-&e got a !igger sur$rise for you) IIIIIIIII

Goldstein and is all a!out; to you I-ll I-m Mur$hyE@

A Russian Wor"ers Delegation *as &isiting a fa tory in Detroit) The leader as"ed the foreman ho* many hours an Ameri an *or"er *or"ed ea h *ee") <Forty'@ said the foreman) The Russian shoo" his head) <In my ountry'@ he said' <the a&erage *or"er *or"s si/ty hours a *ee")@ <(i/ty hours?@ e/ laimed the foreman) <You-d ne&er get the men in this fa tory to *or" that mu h) They-re a !un h of >ommiesE@ IIIIIIIII M*ell' sometimes' any*ay) A man said to his $arish $riest' <My dog died yesterday' Father) >ould you offer a Mass for the re$ose of his soul?@ The $riest *as outraged) <We don-t offer Masses for animals here'@ he said shar$ly) <You might try the ne* denomination do*n the road) They-ll $ro!a!ly $ray for your dog)@ <I really lo&ed that little fello*'@ said the man) <And I-d li"e to gi&e him a de ent send#off) I don-t "no* *hat it is ustomary to offer on su h o asions' !ut do you thin" fi&e hundred thousand dollars *ould do?@ <:o* *ait a minute'@ said the $riest) <You ne&er told me your dog *as a >atholi E@ IIIIIIIII They $ride themsel&es on their reasona!leness # *hi h they then $ro eed to

demonstrate in astonishing *ays; A Go&ernor *as &isiting a state $enitentiary and tal"ing to a tram$ *ho had as"ed for a $ardon) <What-s the matter *ith this $la e? You-re more omforta!ly lodged here than you ha&e e&er !een' aren-t you?@ <Yes sir'@ *as the re$ly) <1ut I still *ant to gel out)@ <Don-t they feed you *ell?@ <They ertainly do) That isn-t it)<Then *hat is it?@ <Well' sir' there-s only one o!,e tion I ha&e to this $la e; it-s the re$utation it has all o&er the state)@ IIIIIIIII A re$orter as"ed se&eral $eo$le in a small to*n if they "ne* the mayor) <He-s a liar and a heat'@ said the gas station attendant) <He-s a $om$ous ass'@ said the s hooltea her) <:e&er &oted for him in my life'@ said the druggist) <Most orru$t $oliti ian I-&e e&er "no*n'@ said the !ar!er) When the re$orter finally met the mayor he as"ed him *hat "ind of salary he re ei&ed) <Good hea&ens' I don-t get any salary'@ said the mayor) <Then *hy did you ta"e the ,o!?@ <For the honour)@ IIIIIIIII A man at a !ar turned to the stranger sitting ne/t to him and said' <I ,ust don-t understand it) All it ta"es is one little drin"' ,ust one little drin" to ma"e me drun") <Really? +ust one?@ =Yes) And it is generally the eighth#one) IIIIIIIII A man in %as .egas a$$roa hed a *ealthy#loo"ing stranger and said) <>an you s$are me t*enty#fi&e dollars' sir? I ha&en-t eaten for t*o days and I ha&e no $la e to slee$)@ <Ho* do I "no* you *on-t ta"e the money and gam!le *ith it?@ <:o *ay'@ said the man) <Gam!ling money I already ha&e *ith me)@ IIIIIIIII A ou$le *ere *ondering ho* to dis$ose of fi&e attra ti&e $u$$ies they had ,ust a Buired) The man dro&e all around to*n attem$ting to gi&e them a*ay !ut no one *ould ha&e them) They announ ed o&er the lo al radio that they had $edigree $u$$ies to gi&e a*ay) :o one seemed interested) Finally a neigh!our ad&ised them to ad&ertise) They *ent !a " to announ e on the radio that they *ould sell the $u$s at t*enty#fi&e dollars ea h) 1efore the day *as out e&ery one of the $u$$ies had !een soldE IIIIIIIII T*o $ros$e ti&e !uyers *al"ed into a used# ar lot and !egan to loo" around# The attendant !egan his sales tal" *hen one of them $rodu ed a ard *hi h said' <(orry' *e-re deaf#mutes)@ (o the salesman $ulled out a $ad and !egan to ,ot do*n' for their !enefit' all the ad&antages of any ar they sho*ed interest in) They finally settled on a neat little .ol"s*agen) They too" it round the !lo " on a trial run and seemed so $leased that the sale *as as good as made) 1ut *hen they got !a " to the lot' they !oth shoo" their heads em$hati ally) :o good)

The salesman s ri!!led on the $ad' <Why? What-s *rong?@ One of the men too" the $ad and *rote' <:o radioE@ IIIIIIIII When a man returned from the large ity to the =&illage of his !oyhood years' one of the neigh!ours said to him' <I su$$ose you "no* that old farmer (mith lost his farm?@ <:o) What ha$$ened?@ <Well' one day he got the idea that his neigh!our-s fen e *as fi&e feet into his land) He too" to !rooding o&er it) Finally he *ent to see a la*yer telling him he thought this *as en roa hment) Well' the la*yer thought so tooE@ .oltaire says' <I ha&e ne&er !een ruined out !ut t*i e; on e *hen I lost a la*suit and on e *hen I *on one)@ IIIIIIIII It is ,ust as astonishing to see the use they ma"e of their imagination))')) <If you e&er marry or ta"e a mistress after I am gone I shall return to haunt you'@ said a dying *oman to her hus!and) (o *hen he fell in lo&e again some months after his *ife-s death he *as horrified' !ut not sur$rised' to see her ghost *al" into the house that night and a use him !itterly of infidelity) This *ent on night after night till he ould ta"e it no more and *ent to onsult a Ken Master *ho said' <What ma"es you sure it-s a ghost?@ <The fa t that she "no*s and an des ri!e to me e&ery single thing I-&e said and done and thought and felt)@ The Master ga&e the man a !ag of soya !eans and said' <Ma"e sure you do not o$en it and *hen she a$$ears to you tonight as" her ho* many !eans there are in the !ag)@ When the man $ut that Buestion to the ghost' it fled ne&er to return) <Why?@ the man as"ed the Master later) The Master smiled) <Isn-t it strange that your ghost "ne* only *hat you "ne*?@ he as"ed) IIIIIIIII A man in Russia too" his *ife *ith him into the forest' su$$osedly to hunt for *ol&es) 1ut *hen the *ol&es ame' he ran a*ay and a!andoned her to them) The ne/t morning he $ut a *reath on his door and *ent into mourning#!ut not for long' !e ause he had a lo&er *hom he married si/ months later) The night of the *edding his former *ife a$$eared to him at night rying' <Hel$E Hel$E Hel$E@ To his amaCement' his ne* *ife sa* and heard nothing) Ea h night the *oman *ould return and s ream for hel$' till the man ould ta"e it no longer) One night he $i "ed u$ his gun and ran after the *oman meaning to "ill her a se ond time) (he ran into the forest) He follo*ed' stum!led' and dro$$ed his gun) At that minute the *ol&es losed in u$on him and $ut an end to his life) IIIIIIIII Mand their emotions))) A $assenger on a train *as gi&ing the dining ar *aiter his order) <For dessert'@ he said' <I-ll ha&e tarts and i e# ream)@ The *aiter said they had no tarts) The man e/$loded) <What? :o tarts? That-s a!surd) I am one of the !iggest ustomers this rail !oard has) Ea h year I organiCe tri$s for thousands of tourists and I ha&e hundred of tons of freight trans$orted on it) And *hen I myself tra&el on the line I annot get a sim$le thing li"e tartsE =I-ll ta"e this u$ *ith the hairman himself)@ The hef alled the *aiter aside and said' <We an get him the tarts at the ne/t sto$)@ Right after the ne/t sto$ the *aiter *as !a " again) <I-m ha$$y to inform you' sir that our hef has *or"ed on these tarts es$e ially for you) He ho$es you *ill li"e

them) And' *ith them' *e *ould li"e to offer you this se&enty#fi&e year old !randy' om$liments of the line)@ The $assenger thre* his na$"in on the ta!le' made a fist and shouted) <To hell *ith the tartsE I-d rather !e angryE@ MFho* em$ty our li&es *ould !e if *e had nothing to resentGM IIIIIIIII The man *as a regular ustomer and the management did its !est to $lease him) (o *hen he om$lained one day that only one $ie e of !read *as !eing gi&en him *ith his meal' the *aiter $rom$tly !rought him four sli es) <That-s good'@ he said' <!ut not good enough) I li"e !read#$lenty of it)@ (o the ne/t night he *as gi&en a doCen sli es' <Good'@ he said) <1ut you-re still !eing frugal' aren-t you?@ E&en a !as"etful of sli es on the ta!le ne/t day did not sto$ his om$laints) (o the manager de ided to fi/ him) He had a olossal loaf of !read !a"ed s$e ially for him) It *as si/ feet long and three feet *ide) The manager himself' *ith the hel$ of t*o *aiters !rought it in and laid it on an ad,oining ta!le' then *aited for the rea tion) The man glared at the giganti loaf' then loo"ed at the manager and said' <(o *e-re !a " to one $ie e againE@ F%ighting a andle is good' !ut ursing the dar"ness is funG) IIIIIIIII A former inmate of a :aCi on entration am$ *as &isiting a friend *ho had shared the ordeal *ith him) <Ha&e you forgi&en the :aCis?@ he as"ed his friend) <Yes)@ <Well' I ha&en-t) I-m still onsumed *ith hatred for them)@ <In that ase'@ said his friend gently' <they still ha&e you in $rison)@ )))Four enemies are not those *ho hate us !ut those *hom *e hateG')) IIIIIIIII )))and ho* $roud they feel#generally for the *rong reasons #))) Friends of om$oser' George Gersh*in' attem$ted to on&ey to his father the fa t that <Rha$sody in 1lue@ *as a *or" of genius) <Of ourse' it is'@ said the old man) <It ta"es fifteen minutes to $erform' doesn-t it?@ IIIIIIIII )))of their a hie&ementsE A missionary' some*here in the tro$i s' de ided to im$ress his $arishioners !y ta"ing some of them for a ride in a $lane) The $lane glided o&er their &illages and hills and forests and ri&ers) O asionally they *ould loo" out of their *indo*s !ut on the *hole they did not seem to !e one !it im$ressed) 1a " on the ground his flo " troo$ed out of the $lane *ithout a *ord of omment) An/ious to get some res$onse' the missionary e/ laimed' <Wasn-t it *onderful? Thin" of *hat human !eings ha&e a hie&edE There *e *ere' u$ in the s"y' a!o&e the houses' a!o&e the trees' a!o&e the mountains' loo"ing do*n on the earthE@ The grou$ listened im$assi&ely) Finally' their leader s$o"e) <Inse ts an do it'@ he said) <And' *hat-s more' they-re ha$$yE@ After se&eral thousand years *e ha&e ad&an ed so mu h that *e !olt our door and *indo*s at night *hile the less <ad&an ed@ nati&es slee$ in o$en huts) IIIIIIIII

(aid the $sy hologist to the lient' <(o sorry)- I an hel$ you hange your !eha&iour' 1ut :ature ta"es her time and follo*s her o*n rhythmM) The a$tain of a su!marine' desiring to test his engine room' as"ed for to$ s$eed' then suddenly ordered an emergen y sto$) His orders *ere instantly o!eyed) The $u!li address system *as turned on) <This is the a$tain s$ea"ing) Well done' engine room) You sto$$ed the su! in e/a tly JJ)4J se onds)@ (oon another &oi e !oomed' <This is the hef) The su! may ha&e sto$$ed' !ut your stea" and $otatoes "e$t going) >old dinner for e&eryone tonightE@ IIIIIIIII )Moreo&er' I annot really sol&e your $ro!lem))) The hief e/e uti&e of a large om$any *as greatly admired for his energy and dri&e) 1ut he suffered from one em!arrassing *ea"ness; ea h time he entered the $resident-s offi e to ma"e his *ee"ly re$ort' he *ould *et his $antsE The "indly $resident ad&ised him to see a $ro tologist) When he a$$eared !efore the $resident the follo*ing *ee" his $ants *ere still *etE <Didn-t you see the $ro tologist?@ as"ed the $resident) <:o) He *as out) I sa* a $sy hologist instead) I-m ured) I no longer feel em!arrassedE@ IIIIIIIII MI an only e/ hange it for another))) (oon after World War II a %ondon !us ondu tor noti ed a $assenger *ith a hea&y $ar el on his la$) <What-s that you ha&e there?@ he as"ed) <An une/$loded !om! that fell near my house) I-m ta"ing it to the $oli e station)@ <Good GodE You don-t *ant to arry a thing li"e that on your la$ manE Put it under your sealE@ FThe solution to a $ro!lem' hanges the $ro!lem)G IIIIIIIII Mor intensify it)@ Do tor to $atient; <I-&e !een treating you for guilt for the $ast ten years' and you are still feeling guilty a!out a trifle li"e that? You ought to feel ashamed of yourselfE@ IIIIIIIII A fello* *ent to a $sy hiatrist and *as diagnosed as a *or"aholi ) (o he had to ta"e a se ond ,o! to $ay for the thera$y) IIIIIIIII T*o little !oys met) <Ho* old are you?@ <I-m fi&e) Ho* old are you?@ <I don-t "no*)@ <You don-t "no* ho* old you are?@ <:o$e)@ <Do *omen !other you?@ <:o$e)@ <You-re four)@ IIIIIIIII A re$orter *as sent out to get the o$inion of the man in the street a!out modern *oman) The first $erson he ran into *as a man *ho had ,ust ele!rated his one# hundred#and#third !irthday) <I-m afraid I *on-t !e of mu h hel$ to you' son'@ said the old man regretfully) <I

Buit thin"ing a!out *omen nearly t*o years agoE@ RE%ATIO:(HIP( Dialogue is the life#!lood of a relationshi$) 1ut the o!sta les to dialogue are many# alas' and those *ho surmount them' fe*) Mu h is a om$lished if' in the first $la e' *e tal" less and listen more))) President Theodore Roose&elt had a $assion for !ig#game hunting) When he heard Fhat a famous 1ritish hunter *as &isiting the (tates he in&ited the man to the White House in the ho$e of getting some $ointers from him) After a t*o#hour meeting at *hi h the t*o of them *ere loseted together and left undistur!ed' the Englishman emerged loo"ing some*hat daCed) <What did you tell the President?@ a re$orter as"ed) <I told him my name)@ said the *orn#out &isitor) IIIIIIIII When >al&in >oolidge *as President of the 2nited (tates' he sa* doCens of $eo$le ea h day) Most had om$laints of one "ind or another) One day a &isiting Go&ernor told the President that he did not understand ho* he *as a!le to meet so many $eo$le in the s$a e of a fe* hours) <Why' you are finished *ith all your &isitors !y dinner time'@ said the Go&ernor' <*hile I am often in my offi e till midnight)@ <Yes'@ said >oolidge) <That-s !e ause you tal")@ IIIIIIIII )))and refrain from de iding ahead of time *hat the other is tal"ing a!out))) A fourteen#year old !oy announ ed at dinner one e&ening that he had !een hosen to tea h his lass the ne/t day) His father *ho *as an e/$ert in Instru tional Methods for the military seiCed this *onderful o asion to gi&e his son the !enefit of his o*n training and e/$erien e) <This is the *ay *e go a!out it in the army' son'@ he said) <We first hoose o!,e ti&es made u$ of a tion' situation and le&el of $erforman e) :o* de ide ahead of time *hat A>TIO: you *ant your students to $erform' in *hat (IT2ATIO: you *ant them to $erform it and) finally HOW WE%% you *ish them to $erform) And remem!er' all edu ation must !e dire ted at $erforman e' $erforman e' $erforman e)@ The !oy *asn-t im$ressed) All he said *as' <It *on-t *or"' Dad)@ <Of ourse it *ill) It al*ays *or"s) Why *ould it noE *or"?@ <1e ause'@ said the young fello*) <I-m su$$osed to gi&e a lass on se/)@ M)and *hat the other *ants))) IIIIIIIII T*o tru "s *ere standing !a " to !a " and a tru " dri&er *as struggling to get a huge rate from one tru " to the other) A $asser#!y' seeing his des$erate situation' &olunteered to hel$) (o the t*o of them huffed and $uffed and struggled for *ell o&er half an hour *ith no result at all) <I-m afraid it-s no use'@ $anted the $asser#!y) <We-ll ne&er get it off this tru "'@ <OffE@ yelled the dri&er) <Good God' I don-t *ant it off) I *ant it onE@ IIIIIIIII ))and not res$ond to *hat *e assume the other said))) The &illage drun"ard staggered u$ Io the $arish $riest' ne*s$a$er in hand' and greeted him $olitely) The $riest' annoyed' ignored the greeting !e ause the man *as slightly ine!riated) He had ome *ith a $ur$ose' ho*e&er' <E/ use me' Father'@ he said' <>ould you tell me *hat auses arthritis?@ The $riest ignored that too) 1ut *hen the man re$eated the Buestion the $riest turned on him im$atiently and

ried' <Drin"ing auses arthritis' that-s *hat auses arthritisE Gam!ling auses arthritisE >hasing loose *omen auses arthritis)))@ And only then' too late' <Why did you as"?@ <1e ause it says right here in the $a$ers that that-s *hat the Po$e hasE@ IIIIIIIII M)nor assume that *e "no* *hat the other is tal"ing a!out))) A store"ee$er heard one of his salesman say to a ustomer' <:o' ma-am' *e ha&en-t had any for some *ee"s no* and it doesn-t loo" as if *e-ll !e getting any soon)@ Horrified at *hat he *as hearing he rushed o&er to the ustomer as she *as *al"ing out and said' <That isn-t true' ma-am) Of ourse *e-ll ha&e some soon) In fa t' *e $la ed an order for it a ou$le of *ee"s ago)@ Then he dre* the salesman aside and gro*led' <:e&er' ne&er' ne&er' ne&er say *e don-t ha&e something) If *e don-t ha&e it' say *e-&e ordered it and it-s on its *ay) :o* *hat *as it she *anted?@ <Rain'@ said the salesman) IIIIIIIII ))nor $ut our o*n meaning into the other-s *ords))) A re$orter *as inter&ie*ing a *oman on her hundredth !irthday) (he seemed an e/traordinarily &i&a ious sort of $erson *ho delighted in re alling her $ast) (he had li&ed from the age of the o&ered *agon to the age of the su$ersoni ,et0 and she seemed eager to des ri!e it all) When the inter&ie* *as o&er she still seemed eager to tal"' so the re$orter tried to thin" u$ some Buestion that *ould "ee$ the on&ersation going) <Ha&e you e&er !een !edridden?@ he as"ed) <Oh' dear' yes'@ she said *ith a slight !lush' <doCens of times) And t*i e in a haysta ")@ IIIIIIIII )))!ut freBuently' alas' *e don-t e&en hear *hat the other is saying))) It *as their golden *edding and the ou$le *ere "e$t !usy all day *ith the ele!rations and the ro*ds of relati&es and friends *ho dro$$ed in to ongratulate them) (o they *ere grateful *hen' to*ards e&ening' they *ere a!le to !e alone on the $or h *at hing the sunset' rela/ing after the tiring day) The old man gaCed fondly at his *ife and said' <Agatha' I-m $roud of youE@ <What *as that you said?@ as"ed the old lady) <You "no* I-m hard of hearing) (ay it louder)@ <I said I-m $roud of you)@ <That-s all right'@ she re$lied *ith a dismissi&e gesture) <I-m tired of you' too)@ Perfe t listening is listening not so mu h to others as to oneself) Perfe t sight is seeing not others so mu h as oneself) For they fail to understand the other *ho ha&e not heard themsel&es0 and they are !lind to the reality of others *ho ha&e not $ro!ed themsel&es) The $erfe t listener hears you e&en *hen you say nothing) Woman to hus!and a!sor!ed in ne*s$a$er; <You needn-t !other saying' =uh ha'- any more) I sto$$ed tal"ing ten minutes ago)@ IIIIIIIII M)and *e hardly e&er tal" a!out the same things))) <Darling'@ said the *ife' <I-m ashamed of the *ay *e li&e) Father $ays the rent of the house' !rother sends us food and money for lothes' un le $ays our *ater and ele tri ity !ills and our friends $ro&ide us *ith ti "ets for the theatre) I-m not om$laining' really' !ut do thin" *e an do !etter)@ <Of ourse *e an'@ said the hus!and) <I-&e !een thin"ing a!out it myself lately) You-&e got a !rother and t*o un les *ho don-t send us a entE@ )))do *e?

IIIIIIIII :asruddin-s *ife *anted a $et' so she !rought a mon"ey) :asruddin *asn-t $leased) <What-s it going to eat?@ he as"ed) <E/a tly *hat *e eat'@ said the *ife) <And *here is it going to slee$?@ <Right in !ed *ith us)@ <With us? What a!out the smell?@ <If I an $ut u$ *ith it' I guess the mon"ey an too)@ IIIIIIIII The surest *ay to "ill a relationshi$; insist on ha&ing things your *ay) +ohnny *as a sturdy' ro!ust "id of three) He made friends *ith a 1illy goat ne/t door) Ea h morning he *ould $ull u$ some grass and lettu e and ta"e them o&er as !rea"fast for 1illy) (o dee$ *as their friendshi$ that +ohnny *ould s$end hours in 1illy-s $leasant om$any) One day it o urred to +ohnny that a hange of diet *ould do 1illy a lot of good) (o he *ent to &isit his friend *ith rhu!ar! instead of lettu e) 1illy ni!!led a !it of the rhu!ar!' de ided he didn-t *ant it' and $ushed it a*ay) +ohnny aught 1illy !y one of his horns and attem$ted to get him to eat the rhu!ar!) This time 1illy !utted +ohnny a*ay' gently at first' !ut' as +ohnny gre* $ersistent' Buite firmly' so that +ohnny stum!led and fell *ith a thum$ on his !a "side) +ohnny *as so offended !y this that he !rushed himself off' glared at 1illy and *al"ed a*ay' ne&er to return) (ome days later *hen his father as"ed him *hy he ne&er *ent o&er to hat *ith 1illy' +ohnny re$lied' <1e ause he re,e ted me)@ IIIIIIIII All too freBuently' *e see $eo$le' not as they are' !ut as *e are) An a ti&e young *oman sho*ed signs of stress and strain) The do tor $res ri!ed tranBuilliCers and as"ed her to re$ort to him after a ou$le of *ee"s) When she ame !a " he as"ed her if she felt any different) (he said' <:o' I don-t) 1ut I-&e o!ser&ed that other $eo$le seem a lot more rela/ed)@ IIIIIIIII A *oman om$lained to a &isiting friend that her neigh!our *as a $oor house"ee$er' <You should see ho* dirty her hildren are#and her house) It is almost a disgra e to !e li&ing in the same neigh!ourhood as her) Ta"e a loo" at those lothes she has hung out on the line) (ee the !la " strea"s on the sheets and to*elsE@ The friend *al"ed u$ to the *indo* and said' <I thin" the lothes are Buite lean' my dear) The strea"s are on your *indo*)@ IIIIIIIII A *oman *as at her singing lessons) (he had su h a ,arring &oi e that a neigh!our ould ta"e it no more) He managed' finally' to summon u$ the ourage to "no " at her door and say' <Madam' if you don-t sto$ your singing I thin" I-ll go madE@ <What are you tal"ing a!out?@ said the *oman) <I sto$$ed t*o hours agoE@ (o sorry)- It isn=t you I am dealing *ith !ut an image in my head) IIIIIIIII (amuel *as do*n in the dum$s and *ho ould !lame him? His landlord had ordered him out of the a$artment and he had no*here to go) )(uddenly light da*ned) He ould li&e *ith his good friend Moshe) The thought !rought (amuel mu h omfort' until it *as assailed !y another thought that said' <What ma"es you so sure that Moshe *ill $ut you u$ at his $la e?@ <Why *ouldn-t he?@ said (amuel to the thought' some*hat heatedly' <After all it is I *ho found him the $la e he is li&ing in no*0 and it *as I *ho ad&an ed him the money to $ay his rent for the first si/ months) (urely the least he ould do is $ut me u$ for a *ee" or so *hen I am in trou!le)@ That settled the matter' until after dinner he *as on e again assailed !y the

thought; <(u$$ose he *ere to refuse?@ <Refuse?@ said (amuel' <Why in God-s name *ould he refuse? The man o*es me e&erything he has) It is I *ho got him his ,o!0 it is I *ho introdu ed him to that lo&ely *ife of his *ho has !orne him the three sons he glories in) Will he grudge me a room for a *ee"? Im$ossi!leE@ That settled the matter' until he got to !ed and found he ouldn-t slee$ !e ause the thought ame !a " to say' <1ut ,ust su$$ose he *ere to refuse) What then?@ This *as too mu h for (amuel) <Ho* the hell ould he refuse?@ he said' his tem$er rising no*) <If the man is ali&e today it is !e ause of me) I sa&ed him from dro*ning *hen he *as a "id) Will he !e so ungrateful as to turn me out into the streets in the middle of *inter?@ 1ut the thought *as $ersistent) <+ust su$$ose)))@ Poor (amuel struggled *ith it as long as he ould) Finally he got out of !ed around t*o in the morning' *ent o&er to *here Moshe li&ed and "e$t his finger $ressed against the door!ell !utton till Moshe' half aslee$' o$ened the door and said in astonishment' <(amuelE What is it? What !rings you here in the middle of the night?@ (amuel *as so angry !y no* he ouldn-t "ee$ himself from yelling' <I-ll tell you *hat !rings me here at this hour of the nightE If you thin" I-m going to as" you to $ut me u$ e&en for a single day' you-re mista"en) I don-t *ant to ha&e anything to do *ith you' your house' your *ife or your family) To hell *ith you allE@ With that he turned on his heel and *al"ed a*ay) IIIIIIIII We see them mostly through the s$e ta les of our $re on ei&ed notions) 1oss; <You loo" e/hausted) What ha$$ened?@ (e retary; <Well' I))) :o' you *ouldn-t !elie&e me if I told you)@ <Of ourse I *ould)@ <:o' you *ouldn-t) I "no* you *ouldn-t)@ <I really *ill !elie&e you) I $romise I *ill)@ <Well' I *or"ed too hard today)@ <I don-t !elie&e it)@ IIIIIIIII A friend as"ed :asruddin for a sum of money) :asruddin *as on&in ed the money *ouldn-t !e returned) 1ut sin e he did not *ant to offend the friend and the sum as"ed for *as a small one' he ga&e him the money) To his great sur$rise' e/a tly one *ee" after the loan *as made the man returned the money) A month later he returned to as" for a slightly larger sum) :asruddin refused) When the man as"ed *hy' he said' <%ast time I did not e/$e t you to return the money#and you let me do*n) This time I e/$e t you to return it#I-m not going to !e let do*n againE@ IIIIIIIII The defe ts *e see in them are mostly our o*n) <E/ use me' sir'@ said a timid student) <I ouldn-t ma"e out *hat you *rote on the margin of my last $a$er)@ <I told you to *rite more legi!ly'@ said the tea her) IIIIIIIII <Darling'@ says a *oman to her hus!and at a $arty' <you had !etter not ha&e any more drin"s) You-re !eginning to loo" !lurred already)@ IIIIIIIII Rare' indeed' is the relationshi$ in *hi h the other is not ulti&ated for *hat one an get for oneself) <I hear you ha&e !ro"en your engagement *ith Tom) What ha$$ened?@ <Oh' my feelings to*ards him hanged) That-s *hat ha$$ened)@ <Are you going to return his engagement ring?@ <Oh' noE My feelings to*ards the ring ha&en-t hanged)@

IIIIIIIII A young *oman alled a >ard (ho$) <Do you remem!er those *edding ards I ordered last *ee"? Well' I *as *ondering if it is too late to ma"e a fe* hanges in them)@ <Gi&e me the ne* information' lady' and I shall he ")@ said the sho$"ee$er) <O)H) It-s a different date' a different hur h and a different man)@ It is Buite im$ossi!le to !e ha$$ily married to another if one does riot first get a di&or e from oneself) IIIIIIIII A farmer de ided it *as time he got married' so he saddled his mule and set off for the ity to find himself a *ife) In time' he met a *oman he thought *ould ma"e him a good *ife and they *ere married) After the eremony they !oth lim!ed on to the mule and started !a " for the farm) After a *hile the mule sto$$ed and refused to mo&e' so the farmer dismounted and !eat the mule *ith a huge sti " until it started to mo&e again) <That-s one'@ said the farmer) (ome miles later the mule sto$$ed again and on e again the farmer dismounted and !eat the mule till it started mo&ing again) <That-s t*o'@ said the farmer) A fe* miles later the mule sto$$ed a third time) This time the farmer got do*n' got his *ife do*n' too" out his $istol and shot the mule in the head' "illing it instantly) <You stu$id' ruel manE@ shouted his *ife) <That *as a good sturdy animal that ould ha&e !een &alua!le on the farm and no*' in a fit of tem$er' you ha&e destroyed it) If I had "no*n *hat a hard#hearted man you are' I *ould ne&er ha&e married you)))@ and so on' for nearly ten minutes) The farmer heard her out till she $aused for !reath) Then he said' <That-s one)@ The story goes that they li&ed ha$$ily e&er after) IIIIIIIII <You loo" all in today' +a "' *hat-s the trou!le?@ <Well' I didn-t get home until morning and ,ust as I *as undressing' my *ife *o"e u$ and said' =Aren-t you getting u$ $retty early' +a "?- (o' to a&oid an argument' I $ut on my lothes and ame !a " to *or")@ What $ri e $ea e? T*o hi$$ies' feeling high' are strolling do*n the street) Another hi$$y' *al"ing to*ards them' gently lifts his hand in greeting and says' <Hi thereE@ Four !lo "s later' one hi$$y turns to the other and says' <Man' I thought he-d ne&er sto$ tal"ingE@ Rea tions are relati&e))) IIIIIIIII M)or are they? A farm !oy *as so ta iturn that his girl friend' after fi&e years of ourtshi$' de ided that he *as ne&er going to $ro$ose to her and that she *ould ha&e to ta"e the initiati&e) One day *hen they *ere sitting alone in the garden' she said to him' <+ohn' let-s get married) (hall *e get married' +ohn?@ A long silen e follo*ed) Finally +ohn said' <Yes)@ Another long silen e) Finally the girl said' <(ay something' +ohn) Why don-t you say something?<I-m afraid I-&e said too mu h alreadyE@ IIIIIIIII In an ient India *ater used to !e dra*n out of *ells !y means of the Persian *heel' a on&enient de&i e *hose only dra*!a " *as the great noise it made *hen in o$eration) One day a horseman ha$$ened to $ass !y a farm and demanded *ater for his horse)

The farmer gladly $ut the Persian *heel in motion !ut the horse' una ustomed as it *as to the noise' *ouldn-t ome any*here near the *ell) <>an-t you sto$ the noise so that my horse an drin"?@ as"ed the horseman) <Pm afraid that isn-t $ossi!le' sir'@ said the farmer) <If your horse *ishes to drin" he *ill ha&e to ta"e the *ater *ith the noise' for *ater omes only *ith noise here)@ And friendshi$ *ith failings) IIIIIIIII To relate is to rea t) To rea t is to understand oneself) To understand oneself is to !e enlightened) Relationshi$s are s hools for enlightenment) (ER.I>E A farmer' *hose orn al*ays too" the first $riCe at the (tate Fair' had the ha!it of sharing his !est orn seed *ith all the farmers in the neigh!ourhood) When as"ed *hy' he said' <It is really a matter of self#interest) The *ind $i "s u$ the $ollen and arries it from field to field) (o if my neigh!ours gro* inferior orn the ross#$ollination !rings do*n the Buality of my o*n orn) That is *hy I am on erned that they $lant only the &ery !est)@ Ail that you gi&e to others you are gi&ing to yourself) IIIIIIIII On e u$on a time the mem!ers of the !ody *ere &ery annoyed *ith the stoma h) They *ere resentful that they had to $ro ure food and !ring it lo the stoma h *hile the stoma h itself did nothing !ut de&our the fruit of their la!our) (o they de ided they *ould no longer !ring the stoma h food) The hands *ould not lift it to the mouth) The teeth *ould not he* it0 the throat *ould not s*allo* it) That *ould for e the stoma h into doing something) 1ut all they su eeded in doing *as ma"e the !ody *ea" to the $oint that they *ere all threatened *ith death) (o it *as finally they *ho learnt the lesson that in hel$ing one another they *ere really *or"ing for their o*n *elfare) IIIIIIIII It is im$ossi!le to hel$ another *ithout hel$ing yourself' or to harm another *ithout harming yourself) :asruddin *as muttering to himself delightedly *hen his friend as"ed him *hat it *as all a!out) (aid :asruddin' <That idiot Ahmed "ee$s sla$$ing me on the !a " ea h time he sees me) Well' I-&e $ut a sti " of dynamite under my oat today' so this time *hen he sla$s me he-ll !lo* his arm offE@ IIIIIIIII (aid a >olonial Go&ernor to a nati&e leader' <I de$lore the o$$ression to *hi h my $eo$le su!,e t yours) You must hel$ me sol&e the $ro!lem)@ <Where-s the $ro!lem?@ as"ed the leader) <%isten my dear fello*) If I had you tied to a sta"e and lit a fire around you' you *ould ha&e a $ro!lem' *ouldn-t you?@ <Would I? If you got me released' all *ould !e *ell) If you let me !urn' I *ould die) And you *ould ha&e the $ro!lemE@ IIIIIIIII A ommuter ho$$ed on to a train at :e* Yor" and told the ondu tor he *as going to Fordham) <We don-t sto$ at Fordham on (aturdays'@ said the ondu tor' !ut I-ll tell you *hat I-ll do) As *e slo* do*n at Fordham station I shall o$en the door

and you ,um$ off) Ma"e sure you-re running along *ith the train *hen you hit the ground or you-ll fall flat on your fa e)@ At Fordham the door o$ened and the ommuter hit the ground running for*ard) Another ondu tor' seeing him' o$ened the door and $ulled him in as the train resumed s$eed) <You-re mighty lu "y' !uddy'@ said the ondu tor) <This train doesn-t sto$ at Fordham on (aturdaysE@ In your o*n small *ay you an !e of ser&i e to $eo$le #!y getting out of their *ay) There is the no!le art of getting things done and the no!le art of lea&ing things undone) IIIIIIIII A ording to the ne*s$a$ers the heat *a&e *as ausing fainting s$ells' so the young lady *as not sur$rised to see the middle#aged man ne/t to her in hur h slum$ do*n to*ards the floor) Aui "ly she "nelt do*n !eside him' $la ed a firm hand on his head and $ushed it do*n !et*een his "nees) <Hee$ your head do*n'@ she *his$ered urgently) <You-ll feel !etter if you an get the !lood into your head)@ The man-s *ife loo"ed on on&ulsed *ith laughter and did nothing to hel$ her hus!and or the young lady) (he must !e Buite heartless' the young lady de ided) Then' to her dismay' the man managed to !rea" loose from her mus ular hold and hissed' <What are you u$ to' you meddling fool? I-m trying to retrie&e my hat from under the !en hE@ Peo$le *ho try hard to im$ro&e things freBuently a hie&e remar"a!le su ess in ma"ing them *orse) In the final analysis the solution to $ro!lems lies neither in a tion nor in ina tion !ut in understanding' for *here there is true understanding there is no $ro!lem) IIIIIIIII A $riest *as *al"ing do*n a street *hen he sa* a little !oy ,um$ing u$ and do*n trying to ring a door !ell) The $oor "id *as too small and the !ell too high) (o the $riest *ent u$ and rang the !ell for the little fello*) Then' turning to the "id *ith smile' he as"ed' <What do *e do no*?@ The little fello* said' <Run li"e hell)@ IIIIIIIII A tea her as"ed her lass of small $u$ils to tell a!out their a ts of "indness to dum! animals) There *ere se&eral he art#stirring stories) When it *as Tommy-s turn he said $roudly' <Well' I on e "i "ed a !oy for "i "ing a dog)@ As *ell *age a *ar to end all *ars or engage in &iolen e that *ill lead to lo&e) IIIIIIIII %ong ago a rare !ird' ne&er seen !efore in >hina' alighted in the su!ur! of the a$ital ity) The em$eror *as delighted) He ordered that food from his o*n ta!le !e offered to the !ird and that his or hestra !e !rought in to $lay for its en,oyment) 1ut the !ird loo"ed misera!le and daCed) It refused to tou h any of the food offered to it and' in a short time' ontra ted a si "ness and died) IIIIIIIII A !ird ate $oisonous !erries *hi h did it no harm) One day it olle ted some for its meal and sa rifi ed a $ortion if its meal to feed its friend' a ra!!it *ho not *ishing to seem ungrateful' ate the !erries and died) If the harge *as one of !rea"ing and entering *ith the intention of doing good' ho* many of us ould $lead not guilty? IIIIIIIII

A !eggar sa* a !an"er oming out of his offi e and said) <>ould you gi&e me a dime' sir' for a u$ of offee?@ The !an"er felt sorry for this man *ho loo"ed !edraggled and distraught) He said' <Here-s a dollar) Ta"e it and ha&e ten u$s of offee)@ The ne/t day the !eggar *as there again at the ste$s of the !an"er-s offi e and as the !an"er ame out he $un hed him) <Hey'@ said the !an"er) <What are you doing?@ <You and your lousy ten u$s of offee) They "e$t me a*a"e the *hole of last nightE@ I onfess to ha&ing hel$ed you) >an you no* find it in your heart to forgi&e me and let me go? IIIIIIIII One day :asruddin as"ed a *ealthy man for some money) <What do you *ant it for?@ <To !uy an ele$hant)@ <If you ha&e no money' you *ill not !e a!le to maintain the ele$hant)@ <I as"ed for money'@ said :asruddin' <not ad&i e)@ IIIIIIIII A *oman mem!er of the Am!ulan e 1rigade *as on first aid duty at the shore) (he noti ed many em$ty !ottles s attered o&er a grassy s$ot and *as afraid that $eo$le might inad&ertently ste$ on them and hurt themsel&es) (o she $ut do*n her first#aid "it and started $i "ing u$ the !ottles) Then an elderly gentleman' distra ted !y *hat she *as doing' tri$$ed o&er her first#aid "it and hurt himself) IIIIIIIII <Wa"e u$' sirE@ says the nurse' sha"ing the slee$ing $atient) <What-s the matter? What-s gone *rong?@ as"ed the startled $atient) <:othing' I ,ust forgot to gi&e you your slee$ing ta!lets)@ We had a fire at our home yesterday) Fortunately it *as $ut out !efore the fire de$artment ould do any damage) IIIIIIIII I get a great "i " out of ser&ing you#!ut I still insist that you !e grateful) A !e,e*elled do*ager ste$$ed out of a fashiona!le hotel in %ondon *here she had !een dining and dan ing all e&ening at a >harity 1all for the su$$ort of street ur hins) (he *as a!out to get into her Rolls Roy e *hen a street ur hin *al"ed u$ to her and *hined' <($are me si/$en e' ma-am' for harity) I ha&en-t eaten for t*o days)@ The du hess re oiled from the "id) <You ungrateful *ret hE@ she e/ laimed) <Don-t you realiCe I ha&e !een dan ing for you all night?@ IIIIIIIII Than" God our moti&es in ser&ing others are hidden from the $u!li eye) The seaside on ert *as $oor and got no re&ie*s in the lo al $a$ers) Attendan e dro$$ed shar$ly after the first $erforman e) Yet one little man ame e&ery night and did not miss a single sho*) Ho*e&er' e&en his $resen e' gratifying as it *as to the $erformers' ould not "ee$ the sho* afloat finan ially) On the last night the manager ste$$ed !efore the urtain and said' <%adies and gentlemen' !efore ta"ing lea&e of you' *e *ish to than" our friend here in the front ro* for his mu h &alued $atronage) He has not missed a single sho*E@ The little man rose to stammer his a "no*ledgement) <It-s &ery de ent of you'@ he said' <!ut as a matter of fa t' this is the only $la e *here my *ife *ould ne&er thin" of loo"ing for meE@ IIIIIIIII

<It *as &ery "ind of you to stay till the end of my s$ee h *hen e&eryone else *al"ed a*ayE@ <:i e of you to say so) 1ut I-m the ne/t s$ea"er' you see)@ IIIIIIIII On e u$on a time there *as an inn alled THE (I%.ER (TAR) The inn"ee$er *as una!le to ma"e !oth ends meet e&en though he did his &ery !est to dra* ustomers !y ma"ing the inn omforta!le' the ser&i e ordial and the $ri es reasona!le) (o in des$air he onsulted a (age) After listening to his tale of *oe the (age said' <It is &ery sim$le) You must hange the name of your inn)@ <Im$ossi!leE@ said the inn"ee$er) <It has !een THE (I%.ER (TAR for generations and is *ell "no*n all o&er the ountry)@ <:o'@ said the (age firmly' <You must no* all it THE FI.E 1E%%( and ha&e a ro* of si/ !ells hanging at the entran e)@ <(i/ !ells? 1ut that-s a!surd) What good *ould that do?@ <Gi&e it a try and see'@ said the (age *ith a smile) Well' the inn"ee$er ga&e it a try) And this is *hat he sa*) E&ery tra&eller *ho $assed !y the inn *al"ed in to $oint out the mista"e' ea h one !elie&ing that no one else had noti ed it) On e inside' they *ere im$ressed !y the ordiality of the ser&i e and stayed on to refresh themsel&es' there!y $ro&iding the inn"ee$er *ith the fortune that he had !eOn see"ing in &ain for so long) There ore fe* things the ego delights in more than orre ting other $eo$le-s mista"es) IIIIIIIII On e u$on a time God ga&e a $arty to all the &irtues' great and small' hum!le and heroi ) They all gathered together in a s$lendidly de orated hall in hea&en and soon !egan to en,oy themsel&es !e ause they *ere *ell a Buainted *ith one another0 some *ere e&en losely related) (uddenly God s$otted t*o fair &irtues *ho seemed not to "no* ea h other at all and *ere some*hat ill at ease in ea h other-s om$any) (o He too" one of them !y the hand and formally introdu ed her to the other) <Gratitude)@ he said' <this is >harity)@ 1ut God had hardly turned around *hen they *ere again $arted) And so the story has gone around that e&en God annot !ring Gratitude to !e *here >harity is) IIIIIIIII A grou$ of ne*ly arri&ed missionaries hired a nati&e to ta"e them for a anoe ride on the >ongo) After a *hile they started hearing the steady !eat of ,ungle drums) All along the route' at steady inter&als' Ehe sounds *ere re$eated) <What are the drums saying?@ as"ed one of the missionaries fearfully) The nati&e guide listened to the drums and translated; <Drums say; Three *hite $eo$le) .ery ri h) Raise $ri es)@ (aadi of (hira, used to say; <:o one learnt ar hery from me *ho did not' in the end' ma"e a target out of me)@ IIIIIIIII A *oman *as leaning o&er the &i tim of a street a ident and the ro*d *as loo"ing on) (uddenly she *as roughly $ushed aside !y a man *ho said' <(te$ !a "' $lease) I-&e had a ourse in first aid)@ The *oman loo"ed on for a fe* minutes *hile the man got !usy *ith the &i tim) Then she said almly' <When you ome to the $art *here you ha&e to send for the do tor' I-m already here?@ Oftener than you imagine' the do tor is already there # inside the $erson you are attem$ting to hel$E

(o *hy !other *ith first aid? (ummon the do torE IIIIIIIII An enthusiasti young $riest *as a$$ointed ha$lain of a hos$ital) He *as one day glan ing through the admission ards of re ently arri&ed $atients and found one *hi h stated that the $atient *as a >atholi ) There *as also a urious note affi/ed to that *ord; <Does not *ant to see a $riest unless she is un ons ious)@ (omething to as" yourself ea h time you thin" you need hel$ or ad&i e; <Am I sure I-m ons ious?@ IIIIIIIII The story goes that a fire !ro"e out in a house in *hi h a man *as fast aslee$) They tried to arry him out through the *indo*) :o *ay) They tried to arry him out through the door) :o *ay) He *as ,ust too huge and hea&y) They *ere $retty des$erate till someone suggested; <Wa"e him u$' and then he-ll get out !y himself)@ Only slee$ers and hildren need to !e ta"en are of) Wa"e u$E Or gro* u$E IIIIIIIII A young man in training to !e a $riest *as told that *hat $eo$le e/$e t of a $riest is that he listen to their *oes) +ust listen' listen' listen))) May!e he *ouldn-t !e a!le to lend a hel$ing hand' !ut he ould al*ays lend a sym$atheti ear) (o this is *hat he determined to do *hen he arri&ed at his first $arish assignment) :o matter ho* mu h the *hole of him re&olted' he for ed himself to listen' listen' listen))) and the $eo$le *ere most a$$re iati&e) 1ut something seemed to !e going *rong some*here) For instan e' an old lady *ould ome in and om$lain of a heada he) (u h a terri!le' a*ful heada he) <Tell me *hat-s !othering you'@ the $riest *ould say in&itingly) (o she *ould tal" and tal" and tal" *hile the $riest listened and listened and listened) It al*ays seemed to *or") <I ame in here an hour ago *ith su h a heada he' Father) And no* it-s gone' gone' gone)@ And the $riest *ould thin"' <I "no*' I "no*' I "no*) 1e ause no* I-&e got itE@ IIIIIIIII A ourse on HOW TO WI: FRIE:D( A:D I:F%2E:>E PEOP%E *as in $rogress) A young !usinessman *as e/$laining to the lass ho* he a$$lied all the $rin i$les of the ourse in an en ounter *ith a !usiness $ros$e t) And it *or"ed mar&ellously#*ell' not BuiteE <I did e&erything I *as told to do here'@ he added) <I !egan !y greeting him *armly'#then I smiled at him and as"ed him a!out himself) I $aid the losest attention to e&erything he said) I *ent out of my *ay to agree *ith his &ie*s and told him e&ery no* and then *hat a fine $erson I thought he *as) He tal"ed and tal"ed for more than an hour) And *hen *e finally $arted om$any I "ne* I had made a friend for life)@ E&eryone in the lassroom a$$lauded $olitely) When the a$$lause died do*n the s$ea"er said *ith feeling' <1ut !oyE What an enemy he madeE@ Why ma"e someone a gift you annot emotionally afford to gi&e) IIIIIIIII Old $eo$le are not lonely !e ause they ha&e no one to share their !urden !ut !e ause they ha&e only their o*n !urden to !ear) An eighty#fi&e#year#old *oman *as !eing inter&ie*ed on her !irthday) What ad&i e *ould she ha&e for $eo$le her age' the re$orter as"ed) <Well'@ said the old dear' <at our age it is &ery im$ortant to "ee$ using all our $otential or it dries u$) It is im$ortant to !e *ith $eo$le and' if it is at all $ossi!le to earn one-s li&ing through ser&i e) That-s *hat "ee$s us ali&e and

*ell)@ <May I as" *hat e/a tly you do for a li&ing at your age?@ <I loo" after an old lady in my neigh!ourhood'@ *as her une/$e ted' delightful re$ly) %o&e heals e&eryone #!oth those *ho re ei&e it and those *ho gi&e it) IIIIIIIII There is a story that !efore Moses led the $eo$le from the land of Egy$t he *as a$$renti ed to a great Master as a $re$aration for !e oming a $ro$het) The first dis i$line that the Master im$osed on Moses *as that of silen e) The t*o of them *andered through the ountryside one day and Moses *as so daCCled !y the !eauties of nature that he found it easy to !e silent) 1ut *hen they got to the !an" of a ri&er' he sa* a hild dro*ning on the other shore and its $oor mother rying aloud for hel$) Moses ould not "ee$ silent !efore su h a sight) <Master'@ he said' < an-t you do something to sa&e that hild?@ <(ilen eE@ said the Master) (o Moses held his !reath) 1ut his heart *as trou!led) He thought' <>an it !e that this Master of mine is really a hard#hearted' insensiti&e man? Or is he $o*erless to hel$ those in need?@ He *as afraid to thin" su h thoughts against his Master' !ut he ould not dis$el them either) In the ourse of their *andering they ame to the sea shore and sa* a !oat going do*n *ith all its re*) Moses said' <Master' loo"E That !oat is sin"ingE@ On e again the Master !ade him "ee$ to his dis i$line of silen e' so Moses did not s$ea" any further) 1ut his heart *as sorely trou!led' so *hen they got !a " home he too" the matter u$ *ith God *ho said to him' <Your Master *as right) The hild *ho *as dro*ning *as meant to !ring a!out a *ar !et*een t*o nations in *hi h hundreds of thousands *ould ha&e $erished) This disaster *as a&erted !y his dro*ning) And as for that sin"ing shi$' it *as manned !y $irates *ho *ere $lanning to ma"e for a seaside to*n' there to $illage and $lunder and massa re many inno ent' $ea e#lo&ing $eo$le)@ (er&i e is a &irtue only *hen a om$anied !y *isdom) IIIIIIIII The Ministry of Agri ulture de reed that s$arro*s *ere a mena e to the ro$s and should !e e/terminated) When this *as done hoards of inse ts that the s$arro*s *ould ha&e eaten des ended on the har&est and !egan to ra&age the ro$s' *hereu$on the Ministry of Agri ulture ame u$ *ith the idea of ostly $esti ides) The $esti ides made the food e/$ensi&e) They also made it a haCard to health) Too late it *as dis o&ered that it *as the s$arro*s *ho' though feeding on the ro$s' managed to "ee$ the food *holesome and ine/$ensi&e) IIIIIIIII There *as on e a man *ho had a golden !elly !utton !ut *hat to most $eo$le *ould ha&e !een a sour e of $ride' to him *as a sour e of em!arrassment for ea h time he too" a sho*er or a s*im he *as the !url of his friend-s teasing) (o he $rayed and $rayed that his !elly !utton *ould !e ta"en a*ay) One night he dreamt that an angel ame do*n from hea&en' uns re*ed his !elly !utton and *ent !a " to hea&en) When he *o"e in the morning the first thing he did *as he " to see if the dream *as true) It *asE There on the ta!le lay the uns re*ed !elly !utton' all !right and shining) The man ,um$ed out of !ed in ,oy#and his !ottom fell offE Only the *ise an !e safely entrusted *ith the tas"s of hanging others or themsel&es) IIIIIIIII

A *oman in a &illage *as sur$rised to find a fairly *ell#dressed stranger at her door as"ing for something to eat) <I-m sorry'@ she said) <I ha&e nothing in the house right no*)@ <:ot to *orry'@ said the amia!le stranger) <I ha&e a sou$ stone in this sat hel of mine0 if you *ill let me $ut it in a $ot of !oiling *ater I-ll ma"e the most deli ious sou$ in the *orld) A &ery large $ot' $lease)@ The *oman *as urious) (he $ut the $ot on the fire and *his$ered the se ret of the sou$ stone to a neigh!our) 1y the time the *ater !egan to !oil all the neigh!ours had gathered to see the stranger and his sou$ stone) The stranger dro$$ed the stone into the *ater then tasted a teas$oonful *ith relish and e/ laimed' <Ah' deli iousE All it needs is some $otatoes)@ <I ha&e $otatoes in my "it hen'@ shouted one *oman) In a fe* minutes she *as !a " *ith a large Buantity of sli ed $otatoes that *ere thro*n into the $ot) Then the stranger tasted the !re* again) <E/ ellentE@ he said) 1ut added *istfully' <If *e only had some meat' this *ould !e ome a tasty ste*)@ Another house*ife rushed home to !ring some meat that the stranger a e$ted gra iously and flung into the $ot) When he tasted the !roth again he rolled his eyes hea&en*ards and said' <Ah' tastyE If *e had some &egeta!les it *ould !e $erfe t' a!solutely $erfe t)@ One of the neigh!ours rushed off home and returned *ith a !as"etful of arrots and onions) After these had !een thro*n in too and the stranger tasted the mi/ture' he said in a &oi e of ommand' <(alt and sau e)@ <Right here@' said the house*ife) Then ame another ommand' <1o*ls for e&eryone)@ Peo$le rushed to their homes in sear h of !o*ls) (ome e&en !rought !a " !read and fruit) Then they all set do*n to a deli ious meal *hile the stranger handed out large hel$ings of his in redi!le sou$) E&eryone felt strangely ha$$y as they laughed and tal"ed and shared their &ery first ommon meal) In the middle of the merriment the stranger Buietly sli$$ed a*ay' lea&ing !ehind the mira ulous sou$ stone that they ould use any time they *anted to ma"e the lo&eliest sou$ in the *orld) IIIIIIIII A great festi&al *as to !e held in a &illage and ea h &illager *as as"ed to ontri!ute !y $ouring a !ottle of *ine into a giant !arrel) When the !anBuet !egan and the !arrel *as ta$$ed *hat ame out of it *as *ater) One of the &illagers had had this thought; <If I $our a !ottle of *ater in that giant !arrel' no one *ill noti e the differen e)@ 1ut it hadn-t o urred to him that e&eryone else in the &illage might ha&e the same thought) IIIIIIIII A tale from the Fathers of the Egy$tian Desert; There *as an old hermit' &ery as eti al in !ody and holy in s$irit' !ut some*hat un lear in his thoughts) This man *ent to see A!!a +ohn to as" him a!out forgetfulness) Ha&ing re ei&ed a *ord of *isdom he returned to his ell) 1ut on the *ay !a " he forgot *hat the A!!a +ohn had told him) (o he *ent !a " and got the same *ord) 1ut' on e again' on the *ay !a " to his ell' he forgot it) This ha$$ened se&eral times) He *ould listen to A!!a +ohn and' on his *ay !a " to the ell' *ould !e o&er ome !y forgetfulness) Many days later he ha$$ened to meet A!!a +ohn and he said' <Do you "no*' Father' that I ha&e on e again forgotten *hat you told me? I *ould ha&e ome !a " again !ut I had !een enough of !urden to you already and did not *ant to o&er!urden you)@ A!!a +ohn said to him' <Go and light a lam$)@ The old man lit the lam$) Then +ohn said' <1ring in some more lam$s and light them from the first one)@ This too the old man did) Then A!!a +ohn said to the old man' <Did the first lam$ suffer any loss from the fa t that the other lam$s *ere lit from it?@ <:o'@ said the old man) <Well' then' so it is *ith +ohn) If not only you' !ut the *hole to*n of ( etis

*ere to ome to me to see" hel$ or ad&i e I *ould not suffer the slightest loss) (o ome to me *hene&er you *ish' *ithout any hesitation)@ IIIIIIIII Another tale from the Fathers of the Desert; A 1rother on e $ut this Buestion to one of the elders; <There are t*o !rothers' one of *hom remains $raying in his ell' fasting si/ days a *ee" and $ra tising mu h austerity) The other s$ends all his time ta"ing are of the si ") Whi h one-s *or" is more $leasing to God?@ The elder re$lied; <If the !rother *ho fasts and $rays *ere to hang himself u$ !y the nose' he *ould not eBual e&en one a t of "indness of the one *ho ta"es are of the si ")@ IIIIIIIII A dis i$le ame u$ to his Master and said' <I am a *ealthy man and ha&e ,ust ome into a large fortune) Ho* !est an I use it so it *ill redound to my s$iritual !enefit?@ (aid the Master' <>ome !a " after a *ee" and I shall gi&e you an ans*er)@ When he returned' the Master said *ith a sigh' <I am at a loss *hat to say to you) If I tell you to gi&e it to your friends and relati&es' it *ill do you no s$iritual good) If I tell you to gi&e it to the tem$le' you *ill only feed the a&ari e of the $riests) And if I tell you to gi&e it to the $oor' you *ill ta"e $ride in your harity and fall into the sin of self#righteousness)@ (in e the dis i$le $ressed the Master for an ans*er' he finally said' <Gi&e the money to the $oor) At least they *ill !enefit from it' e&en though you *ill not)@ If you do not ser&e' you in,ure others) If you do' you in,ure yourself) Ignoran e of this dilemma is the death of the soul) Freedom from this dilemma is eternal life) IIIIIIIII There *as on e a man *ho *as !usy !uilding a home for himself) He *anted it to !e the ni est' *armest' osiest home in the *orld) (omeone ame to him to as" for hel$ !e ause the *orld *as on fire) 1ut it *as his home he *as interested in' not the *orld) When he finally !uilt his home he found he did not ha&e a $lanet to $ut it on) IIIIIIIII A s hooltea her ga&e u$ tea hing for so ial *or") When his friend *anted to "no* *hy' this is *hat he had to say; <%ittle an !e done in s hool if nothing is done in the home and the *orld) At s hool I felt li"e a man *ho *as sear hing for i&ory in the forest) When he finally found it' he dis o&ered it *as atta hed to a large ele$hant)@ IIIIIIIII Wife to hus!and *hose fa e is !uried in the ne*s$a$er; <Has it e&er o urred to you that there might !e more to life than *hat-s going on in the *orld?@ Most $eo$le hue humanity) It-s the $erson ne/t door they annot stand) IIIIIIIII E:%IGHTE:ME:T On e u$on a time there *as a stone utter) Ea ut stones) And *hile he *or"ed he sang for' no more than he had' so he had not a are in One day he *as alled to *or" on the mansion h day he *ent u$ to the mountains to though he *as a $oor man' he desired the *orld) of a no!leman) When he sa* the

magnifi en e of the mansion he e/$erien ed the $ain of desire for the first time in his life and he said *ith a sigh' <If only I *ere ri hE Then I *ould not ha&e to earn my li&ing in s*eat and toil as I do no*)@ Imagine his astonishment *hen he heard a &oi e say' <Your *ish has !een granted) Hen eforth anything you desire *ill !e gi&en to you)@ He did not "no* *hat to ma"e of the *ords till he returned to his hut that e&ening and found in its $la e a mansion as magnifi ent as the one he had !een *or"ing on) (o the stone utter ga&e u$ utting stones and !egan to en,oy the life of the ri h) One day *hen the afternoon *as hot and humid he ha$$ened to loo" out of his *indo* and sa* the "ing go !y *ith a large retinue of no!lemen and sla&es) He thought' <Ho* I *ish I *ere a "ing myself' sitting in the ool of the royal arriageE@ His *ish *as $rom$tly arried out and he found himself re lining in the omfort of the royal arriage) 1ut the arriage turned out to !e *armer than he had assumed it to !e) He loo"ed out of the arriage *indo* and !egan to mar&el at the $o*er of the sun *hose heat ould $enetrate e&en the said to himself) On e again his *ish *as granted and he found himself sending out *a&es of heat into the uni&erse) All *ent *ell for a *hile) There on a rainy day' he attem$ted lo $ier e through a thi " !an" of louds and ould not) (o he got himself hanged into a loud and gloried in his $o*er to "ee$ the sun a*ay#till he turned into the rain and found' to his annoyan e' a mighty ro " that !lo "ed his $ath so he *as o!liged to flo* around it) <What?@ he ried) <A mere ro " more $o*erful than I? Well' then I *ish to !e a ro ")@ (o there he *as standing tall u$on a mountainside) He !arely had time to re,oi e in his fine figure' ho*e&er' *hen he heard strange hi$$ing sounds $ro eeding from his feet) He loo"ed do*n and' to his dismay' found a tiny human !eing sitting there engaged in utting hun"s of stone from his feet) <What?@ he shouted) <A $uny reature li"e that more $o*erful than an im$osing ro " li"e me? I *ant to !e a manE@ (o he found he *as on e again a stone utter going u$ into the mountain to ut stone earning his li&ing in s*eat and toil !ut *ith a song in his heart !e ause he *as ontent to !e *hat he *as and to li&e !y *hat he had) :othing is as good as it seems !efore *e get it) E&ery month the dis i$le faithfully sent his Master an a ount of his s$iritual $rogress) In the first month he *rote' <I feel an e/$ansion of ons iousness and e/$erien e my oneness *ith the uni&erse)@ The Master glan ed at the note and thre* it a*ay) The follo*ing month this is *hat he had to say; <I ha&e finally dis o&ered that the di&ine is $resent in all things)@ The Master seemed disa$$ointed) In his third letter the dis i$le enthusiasti ally e/$lained <The mystery of the One and the many has !een re&ealed to my *ondering gaCe)@ The master ya*ned) His ne/t letter said' <:o one is !orn' no one li&es and no one dies' for the self is not)@ The Master thre* his hands u$ in des$air) After that a month $assed !y' then t*o' then fi&e0 then a *hole year) The Master thought it *as time to remind his dis i$le of his duty to "ee$ him informed of his s$iritual $rogress) The dis i$le *rote !a ") <Who ares?@ When the Master read those *ords a loo" of satisfa tion s$read o&er his fa e) He said' <Than" God' at last he-s got itE@ E&en the han"ering for freedom is !ondage) Are you e&er truly free till it no longer matters to you if you are free or not? Only the ontent is free) IIIIIIIII A great and foolish "ing om$lained that the rough ground hurt his feet' so he ordered the *hole ountry to !e ar$eted *ith o*hide) The ourt ,ester laughed *hen the "ing told him of his order) <What an a!solutely raCy idea' your Ma,esty'@ he ried) <Why all the needless e/$ense? +ust ut out t*o small $ads of o*hide to $rote t your feetE@ That is *hat the "ing did) And that is ho* the idea of shoes *as !orn) The enlightened "no* that to ma"e the *orld a $ainless $la e you need to hange

your heart#not the *orld) IIIIIIIII Wol&es *ere dis o&ered in the &illage near Master (ho,u-s tem$le' so ea h night for a *hole *ee" (ho,u *ent to the &illage emetery and sat there in meditation) This $ut an end to the nightly atta "s of the *ol&es) The &illagers *ere e stati ) They !egged him to re&eal to them the se ret rites he had $erformed so that they ould do the same in future) (aid (ho,u; <I did not ha&e to resort to se ret rites) While I sat there in meditation a num!er of *ol&es gathered around me) They li "ed the ti$ of my nose and sniffed my *ind$i$e) 1ut !e ause I remained in the right state of mind I *asn-t !itten)@ IIIIIIIII A Mahara,a *ent out to sea *hen a great storm arose) One of the sla&es on !oard !egan to ry out and *ail in fear' for the man had ne&er !een on a shi$ !efore) His rying *as so loud and so $rolonged that e&eryone on !oard !egan to !e annoyed and the Mahara,a *as for thro*ing the man o&er!oard) 1ut his >hief Ad&isor *ho *as a sage said' <:o) %et me deal *ith the man) I thin" I an ure him)@ With that he ordered some of the sailors to hurl the man into the sea) The moment he found himself in the sea the $oor sla&e !egan to s ream in terror and to thrash out *ildly) In a fe* se onds the sage ordered him to !e hauled on !oard) 1a " on !oard the sla&e lay in a orner in a!solute silen e) When the Mahara,a as"ed his ad&isor for the reason' he re$lied' <We ne&er realiCe ho* lu "y *e are till our situation gets *orse)@ IIIIIIIII During the (e ond World War a man *as adrift on a raft for t*enty#one days !efore he *as res ued) As"ed if he had learnt anything from the e/$erien e he re$lied' <Yes) If I an only ha&e an a!undan e of food to eat and $lenty of *ater to drin" I shall !e riotously ha$$y for the rest of my life)@ An old man says he om$lained only on e in all his life # *hen his feet *ere !are and he had no money to !uy shoes) Then he sa* a ha$$y man *ho had no feet) And he ne&er om$lained again) IIIIIIIII The $resent moment is ne&er un!eara!le if you li&e in it fully) What is un!eara!le is to ha&e your !ody here at 54) a) m) and your mind at N) $) m)0 your !ody in 1om!ay and your mind in (an Fran is o) The lo " master *as a!out to fi/ the $endulum of a lo " *hen' to his sur$rise' he heard the $endulum s$ea") <Please' sir' lea&e me alone'@ the $endulum $leaded) <It *ill !e an a t of "indness on your $art) Thin" of the num!er of times I *ill ha&e to ti " day and night) (o many times ea h minute' si/ty minutes an hour' t*enty#four hours a day' three hundred and si/ty#fi&e days a year) For year u$on year))) millions of ti "s) I ould ne&er do it)@ 1ut the lo " master ans*ered *isely' <Don-t thin" of the future) +ust do one ti " at a time and you *ill en,oy e&ery ti " for the rest of your life)@ And that is e/a tly *hat the $endulum de ided to do) It is still ti "ing merrily a*ay) IIIIIIIII Here is a $ara!le that the %ord 1uddha told his dis i$les; A man ame a ross a tiger in a field) The tiger ga&e hase and the man fled) He ame u$on a $re i$i e' stum!led and !egan to fall) Then he rea hed out and aught hold of a little stra*!erry !ush that *as gro*ing along the side of the $re i$i e)

There he hung for some minutes' sus$ended !et*een the hungry tiger a!o&e and the dee$ hasm !elo* *here he *as soon going to meet his death) (uddenly he s$ied a lus ious stra*!erry gro*ing on the !ush) Gras$ing the !ush *ith one hand' he $lu "ed the stra*!erry *ith the other and $ut it into his mouth) :e&er in his life had a stra*!erry tasted so s*eetE To the enlightened the a*areness of death gi&es s*eetness to life) IIIIIIIII The ner&ous tourist *as afraid to get too lose to the liff) <What *ould I do'@ he said to the guide' <if I fell o&er the edge?@ <In that ase' sir'@ said the guide enthusiasti ally don-t fail to loo" to the right) You-ll lo&e the &ie*E@ Only if you too are enlightened' of ourseE IIIIIIIII There *as a ro*d in the do tor-s *aiting room; An elderly gentleman rose and a$$roa hed the re e$tionist) <Madam'@ he said ourteously' <my a$$ointment *as for ten o- lo " and it is almost ele&en no*) I annot *ait any longer) Would you "indly gi&e me an a$$ointment for another day?@ One *oman in the ro*d leaned o&er to another and said' <He must !e at least eighty years old) What sort of urgent !usiness an he ha&e that he annot afford to *ait?@ The man o&erheard the *his$ered remar") He turned to the lady' !o*ed and said' <I am eighty#se&en years old' lady) Whi h is $re isely the reason *hy I annot afford to *aste a single minute of the $re ious time I ha&e left)@ The enlightened do not *aste a minute !e ause they ha&e understood the relati&e unim$ortan e of e&erything they do) IIIIIIIII (o rates *as in $rison a*aiting his e/e ution) One day he heard a fello* $risoner singing a diffi ult lyri !y the $oet' (tesi horos) (o rates !egged the man lo tea h him the lyri ) <Why?@ as"ed the singer) <(o that I an die "no*ing one thing more'@ *as the great man-s re$ly) Dis i$le; Why learn something ne* one *ee" !efore you die? Master; For e/a tly the same reason that you *ould learn something ne* fifty years !efore you die) IIIIIIIII Ta,ima no Hami *as fen ing master to the (hogun) One of the (hogun-s !odyguards ame to him one day as"ing to !e trained in s*ordsmanshi$) <I ha&e *at hed you arefully'@ said Ta,ima no Hami and you seem to !e a Master in the art yourself) 1efore ta"ing you on as a $u$il I reBuest you to tell me *hat Master you studied under)@ The !odyguard re$lied' <I ha&e ne&er studied the art under anyone'@ <You annot fool me'@ said the tea her) <I ha&e a dis erning eye and it ne&er fails)@ <I do not mean to ontradi t your E/ ellen y'@ said the guard' <!ut I really do not "no* a thing a!out fen ing)@ The tea her engaged the man in s*ord$lay for a fe* minutes then sto$$ed and said) <(in e you say you ha&e ne&er learnt the art) I ta"e your *ord for it) 1ut you are some "ind of a Master) Tell me a!out yourself)@ <There is one thing'@ said the guard) <When I *as a hild I *as told !y a samurai that a man should ne&er fear death) I therefore struggled *ith the Buestion of death till it eased to ause me the slightest an/iety'@ <(o that-s *hat it is)@ ried Ta,ima no Hami) <The ultimate se ret of

s*ordsmanshi$ lies in !eing free from the fear of death) You need no training) You are a Master in your o*n right)@ The unenlightened are al*ays an/ious) %i"e the man in the ri&er *ho doesn-t "no* ho* to s*im) He !e omes frightened) (o he sin"s) (o he struggles to "ee$ afloat) (o he sin"s e&en dee$er) If he dro$$ed his fear and allo*ed himself to sin"' his !ody *ould ome u$ to the surfa e on its o*n) There *as on e a man *ho fell into a stream *hile he *as ha&ing an e$ile$ti fit) When he ame to later he *as sur$rised to find himself lying on the !an") The fit that had thro*n him into the ri&er had also sa&ed his life !y remo&ing his fear of dro*ning)))that-s enlightenment) IIIIIIIII Hen,i *as a +a$anese "ami"aCe $ilot) He had $re$ared himself to die for his ountry !ut the *ar ended sooner than e/$e ted and he ne&er got his han e to die *ith honour) (o the man !e ame de$ressed0 he lost all a$$etite for li&ing and *andered listlessly around to*n unsure *hat to do *ith himself) One day he *as told of a thief *ho *as holding an old *oman hostage in her a$artment on the se ond floor of a !uilding) The $oli e *ere afraid to mo&e into the a$artment !e ause the man *as armed and "no*n lo !e dangerous) Hen,i rushed into the !uilding and demanded that the man release the *oman) A fight *ith "ni&es ensued in *hi h Hen,i "illed the thief !ut he *as mortally *ounded himself) He died a little later in hos$ital *ith a ontented smile on his li$s) His *ish to die a useful death had !een fulfilled) Only those do good *ho ha&e lost their fear to die) IIIIIIIII There *as on e a huge dragon in >hina *ho *ent from &illage to &illage "illing attle and dogs and hi "en and hildren indis riminately) (o the &illagers alled u$on a *iCard to hel$ them in their distress) The *iCard said' <I annot slay the dragon myself for' magi ian though I am' I am too afraid) 1ut I shall find you the man *ho *ill)@ A "ing ran into a der&ish and' in "ee$ing *ith the ustom of the East *hen a "ing met a su!,e t' he said' <As" for a fa&our)@ The der&ish re$lied' <It *ould !e unseemly for me to as" a fa&our of one of my sla&es)@ With that he transformed himself into a dragon and too" u$ $osition on a !ridge so e&eryone *ho did not "no* it *as the *iCard *as afraid to $ass) One day' ho*e&er' a tra&eller ame u$ to the !ridge' almly lim!ed o&er the dragon and *al"ed on) The *iCard $rom$tly too" on human sha$e again and alled to the man' <>ome !a "' my friend) I ha&e !een standing here for *ee"s *aiting for youE@ The enlightened "no* that fear is in the *ay you loo" at things not in the things themsel&es) IIIIIIIII <Ho* dare you s$ea" so disres$e tfully to the "ing'@ said a guardsman) <E/$lain yourself or you shall die)@ The der&ish said' <I ha&e a sla&e *ho is the master of your "ing)@ <Who?@ <Fear'@ said the der&ish) When the !ody $erishes life is no more) Hen e the erroneous on lusion that to "ee$ the !ody ali&e is the same as li&ing) Enter *here the assassin-s !ullet does not ta"e lift a*ay0 neither does the $rolongation of life lengthen the duration of one-s !eing) IIIIIIIII When the Gree" $hiloso$her Diogenes *as a$tured and ta"en to !e sold in the sla&e mar"et it is said that he mounted the au tioneer-s $latform and ried aloud' <A Master has ome here to !e sold) Is there some sla&e among you *ho is desirous of

$ur hasing him?@ It is im$ossi!le to ma"e sla&es of the enlightened for they are ,ust as ha$$y in a state of sla&ery as in a state of freedom) IIIIIIIII A mer hant in 1aghdad sent his ser&ant on an errand to the !aCaar and the man ame !a " *hite *ith fear and trem!ling) <Master'@ he said' <While I *as in the mar"et$la e I *al"ed into a stranger) When I loo"ed him in the fa e I found that it *as Death) He made a threatening gesture at me and *al"ed a*ay) :o* I am afraid) Please gi&e me a horse so that I an ride at on e to (amarra and $ut as great a distan e as $ossi!le !et*een Death and me)@ The mer hant in his an/iety for the man#ga&e him his s*iftest steed) The ser&ant *as on it and a*ay in a tri e) %ater in the day the mer hant himself *ent do*n to the !aCaar and sa* Death loitering there in the ro*d) (o he *ent u$ to him and said' <You made a threatening gesture at my $oor ser&ant this morning) What did it mean?@ <That *as no threatening gesture' sir'@ said Death) <It *as a start of sur$rise at seeing him here in 1aghdad)@ <Why *ould he not !e in 1aghdad? This is *here the man li&es)@ <Well' I had !een gi&en to understand that he *ould ,oin me in (amarra tonight' you see)@ Most $eo$le are so afraid to die that' from their efforts to a&oid death' they ne&er li&e) IIIIIIIII There *as on e a holy man *ho li&ed in a state of e stasy !ut *as regarded !y e&eryone as insane) One day' ha&ing !egged for food in the &illage' he sat !y the roadside and !egan to eat *hen a dog ame u$ and loo"ed at him hungrily) The holy man then !egan to feed the dog0 he himself *ould ta"e a morsel' and then gi&e a morsel to the dog as though he and the dog *ere old friends) (oon a ro*d gathered around the t*o of them to *at h this e/traordinary sight) One of the men in the ro*d ,eered at the holy man) He said to the others' <What an you e/$e t from someone so insane that he is not a!le to distinguish !et*een a human !eing and a dog?@ The holy man re$lied' <Why do you laugh? Do you not see .ishnu seated *ith .ishnu? .ishnu is !eing fed and .ishnu is doing the feeding) (o *hy do you laugh' oh .ishnu?@ IIIIIIIII The %ord Hrishna said to Ar,un' <You s$ea" of me as of an in arnation of God) 1ut today I *ish to re&eal something s$e ial to you) Follo* me)@ Ar,un follo*ed the %ord a short distan e) Then Hrishna $ointed to a tree and said' <What do you see there?@ Ar,un re$lied' <A huge &ine *ith lusters of gra$es hanging on it)@ The %ord said' <Those are not gra$es) Go loser and loo" at them arefully)@ When Ar,un did that he ould hardly !elie&e his eyes for there !efore him *ere Hrishnas hanging in !un hes from Hrishna)@ The dis i$les as"ed the Master to s$ea" to them of death; <What *ill it !e li"e?@ <It *ill !e as if a &eil is ri$$ed a$art and you *ill say in *onder' =(o it *as You all along)-- < IIIIIIIII There *as on e a "ing in India *ho had an ele$hant that ran amu ") It &illage to &illage destroying e&erything in its $ath and no one dared !e ause it !elonged to the "ing) :o* one day a self#styled as eti *as a!out to set out from a &illage &illagers !egged him not to' !e ause the ele$hant had !een sighted on mar hed from atta " it *hen all the the road and

*as atta "ing $assers#!y) The man re,oi ed in the o asion he no* had for demonstrating his su$erior *isdom' for he had ,ust returned from a le ture of his guru *ho had taught him to see Rama in e&erything) <Oh' you $oor ignorant foolsE@ he said' <Ha&e you no insight at all into s$iritual matters? Ha&e you ne&er !een told that *e must see Rama in e&eryone and e&erything and that all those *ho do so *ill en,oy the $rote tion of Rama? %et me go) I ha&e no fear of the ele$hant)@ The $eo$le thought that the man *as a!out as s$irituality insightful as the mad ele$hant) They "ne* it *as useless to argue *ith a holy man' so they let him go) He had hardly got onto the road *hen the ele$hant rushed to*ards him' lifted him u$ *ith its trun" and hurled him against a tree) The man !egan to ho*l in $ain) To his good lu " the "ing-s guards a$$eared in the ni " of time and a$tured the ele$hant !efore it ould "ill the deluded as eti ) It *as many months later !efore the man *as *ell enough to set out on his tra&els again) He *ent straight to his guru and said' <The tea hing you ga&e me *as false) You told me to see e&erything as !eing $er&aded !y Rama) That is e/a tly *hat I did and loo" *hat ha$$ened?@ (aid the guru' <Ho* foolish you areE Why did you fail to see Rama in the &illagers *ho *arned you against the ele$hant?@ IIIIIIIII There *as on e a andy ma"er *ho had andy in the sha$es of animals and !irds of different olours and siCes) When he sold his andy to hildren they *ould !egin to Buarrel *ith *ords su h as these; <My ra!!it is !etter than your tiger)))My sBuirrel may !e smaller than your ele$hant' !ut it is tastier)))@ And the andy ma"er *ould laugh at the thought of gro*n#u$s *ho *ere no less ignorant than the hildren *hen they thought that one $erson *as !etter than another) Enlightenment "no*s that it is our ulture and onditioning' not our nature that di&ides us) IIIIIIIII A she$herd *as graCing his shee$ *hen a $asser#!y said' =That-s a fine flo " of shee$ you ha&e) >ould I as" you something a!out them?@ <Of ourse' said the she$herd) (aid the man' <Ho* mu h *ould you say your shee$ *al" ea h day?@ <Whi h ones' the *hite ones or the !la " ones?@ <The *hite ones)@ <Well' the *hite ones *al" a!out four miles a day)@ <And the !la " ones?@ =The !la " ones too)@ <And ho* mu h grass *ould you say they eat ea h day?@ <Whi h ones' the *hite or the !la "?@ <The *hite ones)@ <Well' the *hite ones eat a!out four $ounds of grass ea h day)@ <And the !la " ones?@ <The !la " ones too)@ <And ho* mu h *ooE *ould you say they gi&e ea h year?@ <Whi h ones' the *hite or the !la "?@ <The *hite ones)@ <Well' I-d say the *hite ones gi&e some si/ $ounds of *ool ea h year at shearing time)@ <And the !la " ones?@ <The !la " ones too)@ The $asser#!y *as intrigued) <May I as" you *hy you ha&e this strange ha!it of di&iding your shee$ into *hite and !la " ea h time you ans*er one of my Buestions?@ <Well'@ said the she$herd' <that-s only natural) The *hite ones are mine' you see)@ <AhE And the !la " ones?@ <The !la " ones too'@ said the she$herd) The human mind ma"es foolish di&isions in *hat %o&e sees as One) IIIIIIIII Plutar h tells the story of Ale/ander the Great *ho ame u$on Diogenes loo"ing attenti&ely at a hea$ of human !ones) <What are you loo"ing for?@ as"ed Ale/ander) <(omething that I annot find'@ said the $hiloso$her) <And *hat is that?@ <The differen e !et*een your father-s !ones and those of his sla&es)@ The follo*ing are ,ust as indistinguisha!le; >atholi !ones from Protestant !ones) Hindu from Muslims !ones' Ara! !ones from Israeli !ones' Russian !ones from

Ameri an !ones) The enlightened fail to see the differen e e&en *hen the !ones are fleshE IIIIIIIII

lothed in

In a little Indian &illage li&ed a *ea&er *ho *as a &ery $ious soul) All day long he *ould $ronoun e the name of God and $eo$le trusted him im$li itly) When he had *o&en a suffi ient amount of loth he *ould ta"e it to !e sold in the mar"et$la e) There' if anyone as"ed him the $ri e of a $ie e of loth' he *ould re$ly in this fashion; <1y the *ill of Rama the $ri e of the yarn is 3J ents0 the la!our is 54 ents0 the $rofit' !y the *ill of Rama' is D ents) (o the $ri e of this $ie e' !y the *ill of Rama' is D6 ents)@ Peo$le had su h faith in the man that they ne&er !argained *ith him0 they ,ust $aid the $ri e he as"ed for and too" the goods) :o* the *ea&er *as in the ha!it of going to the &illage tem$le at night to hant the $raises of God and sing the glories of his name) %ate one night' *hile he *as at his hanting' a !and of ro!!ers !urst in) They needed someone to arry their stolen goods for them so they said' <>ome *ith us)@ The *ea&er mee"ly a om$anied them *ith the goods on his head) (oon the $oli e ga&e hase and the ro!!ers !egan to run0 the *ea&er ran *ith them !ut !eing an older man the $oli e soon aught u$ *ith him and' finding the stolen goods on him' they arrested him and thre* him in ,ail) The follo*ing morning he *as $rodu ed !efore the ,udge and a used of !urglary) When the ,udge as"ed him *hat he had to say for himself' this is *hat the man said' <Your Honour' !y the *ill of Rama I finished my meal last night and !y the *ill of Rama I *ent o&er to the tem$le' there to hant his $raises) That is *hen suddenly' !y the *ill of Rama' a !and of ro!!ers !urst in and' !y Rama-s *ill' in&ited me to arry their goods for them) They $ut su h a load on my head that *hen' !y the *ill of Rama' the $oli e ga&e hase' I *as easily aught) Then' !y the *ill of Rama' I *as arrested and thro*n in ,ail) And here I am standing !efore you this morning' !y the *ill of Rama)@ The ,udge said to the $oli eman' <%et the man go) He is e&idently out of his mind)@ 1a " home *hen as"ed *hat had ha$$ened the $ious *ea&er said' <1y the *ill of Rama I *as arrested and tried in ourt) And !y the *ill of Rama I ha&e !een a Buitted)@ IIIIIIIII There *as a ra!!i *ho li&ed in a &illage on the ste$$es of Russia) E&ery morning for t*enty years he rossed the &illage sBuare to $ray in the synagogue and e&ery morning he *as losely *at hed !y a $oli eman *ho hated +e*s) Finally one morning the $oli eman *al"ed u$ to the ra!!i and demanded to "no* *here he *as going) <I don-t "no*'@ said the ra!!i) <What do you mean you don-t "no*? For the $ast t*enty years I ha&e seen you go to that synagogue a ross the sBuare and no* you say you don-t "no*? I-ll tea h you a lessonE@ With that he gra!!ed the old man !y his !eard and dragged him off to ,ail) As he *as turning the "ey on the $rison ell the ra!!i loo"ed at him *ith a t*in"le in his eye and said' <(ee *hat I meant *hen I said I didn-t "no*?@ IIIIIIIII Tra&eller0 <What "ind of *eather are *e going to ha&e today?@ (he$herd; <The "ind of *eather I li"e)@ <Ho* do you "no* it *ill !e the "ind of *eather you li"e?@ <Ha&ing found out' sir' that I annot al*ays get *hat I li"e' I ha&e learnt al*ays to li"e *hat I get) (o I am Buite sure *e *ill ha&e the "ind of *eather I li"e)@ Ha$$iness and unha$$iness are in the *ay *e meet e&ents' not in the nature of those e&ents themsel&es) IIIIIIIII

An old nun *ho had tried out the ne* ha!it *as dis ussing her funeral *ith the Mother (u$erior) <I-d li"e to !e !uried in the old ha!it'@ she said) <Of ourse'@ said the (u$erior' <if you-ll !e more omforta!le in thatE@ When the self is no more' one has died#and li"e a or$se one is omforta!le in anything) After all' someone *hose mind is set on dro*ning does not insist on a set of dry lothes to ma"e the dro*ning more agreea!le) IIIIIIIII A Hasidi tale; One night Ra!!i Isaa *as told in his dream to go to fara*ay Prague and there to dig For a hidden treasure under a !ridge that led to the $ala e of the "ing) He did not ta"e the dream seriously !ut *hen it re urred four or fi&e times he made u$ his mind to go in sear h of the treasure) When he got to the !ridge he dis o&ered to his dismay that it *as hea&ily guarded day and night !y soldiers) All he ould do *as gaCe at the !ridge from a distan e) 1ut sin e he *ent there e&ery morning the a$tain of the guards ame u$ to him one day to find out *hy) Ra!!i Isaa ' em!arrassed as he *as to tell his dream to another soul' told the a$tain e&erything for he li"ed the good#natured hara ter of this >hristian) The a$tain roared *ith laughter and said' <Good hea&ensE You a Ra!!i and you ta"e dreams so seriously? Why if I *ere stu$id enough to a t on my o*n dreams I *ould !e *andering around in Poland today) %et me tell you one that I had last night that "ee$s re urring freBuently; A &oi e tells me to go to >ra o* and dig for treasure in the orner of the "it hen of one Isaa son of ECe hielE :o* *ouldn-t it !e the most stu$id thing in the *orld to sear h around in >ra o* for a man alled Isaa and another alled ECe hiel *hen half the male $o$ulation there $ro!a!ly has one name and the other half the other?@ The Ra!!i *as stunned) He than"ed the a$tain for his ad&i e' hurried home' dug u$ the orner of his "it hen and found a treasure a!undant enough to "ee$ him in omfort till the day he died) The s$iritual Buest is a ,ourney *ithout distan e) You tra&el from *here you are right no* to *here you ha&e al*ays !een) From ignoran e to re ognition' for all you do is see for the first time *hat you ha&e al*ays !een loo"ing at) Who e&er heard of a $ath that !rings you to yourself or a method that ma"es you *hat you ha&e al*ays !een? ($irituality' after all' is only a matter of !e oming *hat you really are) IIIIIIIII A young man !e ame o!sessed *ith a $assion for Truth so he too" lea&e of his family and friends and set out in sear h of it) He tra&elled o&er many lands' sailed a ross many o eans' lim!ed many mountains and' all in all' *ent through a great deal of hardshi$ and suffering) One day he a*o"e to find he *as se&enty#fi&e years old and had still not found the Truth he had !een sear hing for) (o he de ided' sadly' to gi&e u$ the sear h and go !a " home) It too" him months to return to his hometo*n for he *as an old man no*) On e home' he o$ened the door of his house#and there he found Truth that had !een $atiently *aiting for him all those years) Auestion; Did his ,ourneying hel$ him to find Truth? Ans*er0 :o' !ut it $re$ared him to re ogniCe it) IIIIIIIII A *oman tourist from the West *as admiring a nati&e-; ne "la e) <What is it made of?@ she as"ed) <Alligator teeth' ma-am'@ said the nati&e' <Oh' I see) I su$$ose they ha&e the same &alue for you $eo$le that $earls ha&e for

us'@ <:ot Buite) Anyone an o$en an oyster'@ The enlightened understand that a diamond is a stone until endo*ed *ith &alue !y the human mind) And that things are as !ig or as small as your mind hooses to ma"e them) IIIIIIIII A young Ameri an got a leri al ,o! at the White House and had ,ust $arti i$ated in a re e$tion gi&en to all White House staffers !y the President0 He thought his mother *ould !e thrilled to get a all from the White House' so he $la ed a all through the White House s*it h!oard) <Mother'@ he said $roudly' <this is a !ig day for me) You "no* *hat? I am alling you from the White House)@ The res$onse he got from the other end *as not Buite as e/ ited as he had e/$e ted it to !e) To*ards the end of the on&ersation his mother said' <Well' son' it-s !een a !ig day for me too)@ <Really? What ha$$ened?@ <I finally managed to lean out the atti )@ IIIIIIIII The unenlightened fail to see themsel&es as the ause of all their grief-s) It *as lun h time at the fa tory and a *or"man o$ened his lun h !o/ dolefully) <Oh no'@ he said aloud) <>heese sand*i hes againE@ This ha$$ened a se ond and a third and a fourth day) Then a o#*or"er *ho had heard the mutterings of the man said' <If you hate heese sand*i hes so mu h *hy don-t you get your *ife to ma"e you some other ty$e?@ <1e ause I-m not married) I ma"e those sand*i hes myself)@ IIIIIIIII +ohn and Mary *ere *al"ing do*n the road in the afraid' +ohn'@ said Mary) <And *hat *ould you !e afraid of?@ <I-m afraid you might !e going to "iss me)@ <And ho* *ould I "iss you *ith me arrying a !u ea h arm?@ <I *as afraid that you might $ut a hen under ea Oftener than you thin" *hat $eo$le do to you is IIIIIIIII late e&ening) <I-m terri!ly

"et in ea h hand and a hen under h !u "et and then "iss me)@ *hat you-&e as"ed them to)-

A ou$le of soldiers in northern India *ere on their *ay !a " home in a ri "sha* *hen they sa*' ahead of them' another ri "sha* *ith a ou$le of sailors in it) In a fe* minutes the ri&alry !et*een the ser&i es eru$ted into a ra e in *hi h the dri&er of the )soldiers- ri "sha* too" an early lead) They *ere settling !a " to sa&our their &i tory *hen' to their amaCement' they sa* their o$$onents shoot !y) They *ere e&en more astonished to see the dri&er in the $assenger seat lustily heering one of the sailors *ho had ta"en o&er from him) The enlightened *ould rather !e ontented than &i torious) IIIIIIIII T*o gunfighters *ere a!out to engage in a duel and a s$a e *as leared for them in the saloon) One *as an unim$osing tiny little man' !ut a $rofessional fighter) The other *as a huge' hefty fello* *ho $rotested' <Wait a minuteE This isn-t fair) He-s shooting a larger target)@ The little fello* *as Bui " to offer a suggestion) Turning to the saloon o*ner he said' <>hal" out a man of my siCe on my o$$onent) Any !ullet of mine that hits outside the line doesn-t ount)@ The enlightened are more a!out li&ing than a!out *inning) The unenlightened *ould sell their souls to $ro&e they are rightE

<1efore I go out in the e&ening' I !et my *ife ten dollars that I-ll !e !a " !y midnight)@ <And then?@ <And then I let her *in)@ IIIIIIIII An infalli!le sign of enlightenment; one no longer ares *hat $eo$le thin" and say) A furniture om$any sent this note to one of its ustomers; <Dear Mr) +ones' What *ould your neigh!our thin" if *e had to send a tru " to your house to re$ossess the furniture that you ha&e still not $aid for?@ They got the follo*ing re$ly; <Dear (ir' I ha&e dis ussed the matter *ith my neigh!ours to find out *hat they *ould thin") They all thin" it *ould !e a dirty tri " of a mean' lo*#do*n om$any)@ IIIIIIIII A man gre* u$ *ith the de ision that he *ould !e satisfied *ith nothing !ut the &ery !est) This de ision hel$ed him to !e ome &ery su essful and &ery ri h' so he no* had the means *ith *hi h to $ro&ide himself *ith nothing !ut the !est) :o* it so ha$$ened that he *as suffering from a se&ere atta " of tonsillitis' a ondition that ould ha&e !een dealt *ith effe ti&ely !y any Bualified surgeon in the land) 1ut' Im$ressed as he *as *ith a sense of his o*n im$ortan e' and goaded !y his o!session to $ro&ide himself *ith the &ery !est that the medi al *orld had to offer' he !egan to mo&e from one to*n to another' one ountry to another in sear h of the !est man for the ,o!) Ea h time some $arti ularly om$etent surgeon *as re ommended to him he !egan to fear that there might ,ust $ossi!ly !e someone *ho *as e&en more om$etent) One day his ondition !e ame so !ad and his throat so infe ted that an o$eration had to !e $erformed immediately for his life *as in danger) 1ut the man *as in a semi# omatose state in a god#forsa"en &illage *here the only $erson *ho had used a "nife on a li&ing reature *as the &illage !ut her) He *as a remar"a!ly good !ut her and *ent to *or" *ith a *ill !ut *hen he got to the man-s tonsils he didn-t Buite "no* *hat he *as su$$osed to do *ith them) And *hile he *as !usy onsulting $eo$le *ho "ne* as little as he' the $oor $atient for *hom nothing !ut the &ery !est *as good enough !led to death) IIIIIIIII A lion *as ta"en into a$ti&ity and thro*n into a on entration am$ *here' to his amaCement' he found other lions *ho had !een there for years' some of them all their li&es' for they had !een !orn there) He soon !e ame a Buainted *ith the so ial a ti&ities of the am$ lions) They !anded themsel&es into grou$s) One grou$ onsisted of the so ialiCes0 another *as into sho* !usiness0 yet another *as ultural for its $ur$ose *as to arefully $reser&e the ustoms' the tradition and the history of the times *hen lions *ere free0 other grou$s *ere religious#they gathered mostly to sing mo&ing songs a!out a future ,ungle *here there *ould !e no fen es0 some grou$s attra ted those *ho *ere literary and artisti !y nature0 others still *ere re&olutionary' they met to $lot against their a$tors or against other re&olutionary grou$s) E&ery no* and then a re&olution *ould !rea" out' one $arti ular grou$ *ould !e *i$ed out !y another' or the guards *ould all !e "illed and re$la ed !y another set of guards) As he loo"ed around' the ne* omer o!ser&ed one lion *ho al*ays seemed dee$ in thought' a loner *ho !elonged to no grou$ and mostly "e$t a*ay from e&eryone) There *as something strange a!out him that ommanded e&eryone-s admiration and e&eryone-s hostility for his $resen e aroused fear and self#dou!t) He said to the ne* omer' <+oin no grou$) These $oor fools are !usy *ith e&erything e/ e$t *hat is essential)@

<And *hat is that?@ as"ed the ne* omer) <(tudying the nature of the fen e)@ :othing #!ut nothing#else mattersEIIIIIIIII The human ondition is $erfe tly de$i ted in the ase of the $oor drun" standing late at night outside the $ar"' !earing on the fen e and yelling' <%et me outE@ It is only your illusions that $re&ent you from seeing that you are#and ha&e al*ays !een#free) IIIIIIIII A !asi ingredient in the attainment of freedom; ad&ersity that !rings a*areness) A tra&eller lost in the desert des$aired of e&er finding *ater) He struggled u$ one hillto$' then another and another in the ho$e of sighting a stream some*here) He "e$t loo"ing in e&ery dire tion *ith no su ess) As he staggered on*ards his foot aught on a dry !ush and he stum!led to the ground) That-s *here he laid' *ith no energy e&en to rise' no desire to struggle any more' no ho$e of sur&i&ing this ordeal) As he lay there' hel$less and de,e ted' he suddenly !e ame a*are of the silen e of the desert) On all sides a ma,esti stillness reigned' undistur!ed !y the slightest sound) (uddenly he raised his head) He had heard something) (omething so faint that only the shar$est ear and the dee$est silen e *ould lead to its dete tion; the sound of running *ater) Heartened !y the ho$e that the sound aroused in him' he rose and "e$t mo&ing till he arri&ed at a stream of fresh' ool *ater) IIIIIIIII There isn-t any *orld other than this one) 1at there are t*o *ays of loo"ing at it) In an ient India there *as a "ing' alled +ana"a' *ho *as also a sage) One day +ana"a *as ta"ing a na$ on his flo*er#stre*n !ed *ith his ser&ants fanning him and his soldiers standing guard outside his door) As he doCed off he had a dream in *hi h a neigh!ouring "ing defeated him in !attle' too" him $risoner and had him tortured) As soon as the torture !egan +ana"a *o"e *ith a start to find himself lying on his flo*er#stream !ed *ith his ser&ants fanning him and his soldiers on guard) On e again he doCed off and had the same dream) And on e again he *o"e u$ to find himself safe and omforta!le in his $ala e) :o* +ana"a !egan to !e distur!ed !y a thought; While he *as aslee$ the *orld of his dreams had seemed so real) :o* that he *as a*a"e the *orld of the senses seemed real) Whi h of these t*o *orlds is the real one' he *anted to "no*) IIIIIIIII :one of the $hiloso$her' s holars and seers he onsulted ould gi&e him an ans*er) And for many years he sear hed in &ain rill one day a man alled Ashta&a"ra "no "ed at the door of the $ala e) :o* Ashta&a"ra means entirely deformed or roo"ed and he got that name !e ause that is e/a tly *hat he had !een from !irth) At first the "ing *as not dis$osed to ta"e this man seriously) <Ho* an a missha$en man li"e you !e the arrier of a *isdom denied to my seers and s holars?@ he as"ed) <Right from my hildhood' all a&enues ha&e !een losed to me#so I a&idly $ursued the $ath of *isdom <*as Ashta&a"ra-s re$ly) <($ea"' then'@ said the "ing) (o this is *hat Ashta&a"ra said' <O "ing' neither the *a"ing state nor the dream state is real) When you are a*a"e' the *orld of dreams does not e/ist and *hen you dream the *orld of the senses does not e/ist) Therefore' neither is real'@ <If !oth the *a"ing and the dream states are unreal' then *hat is real?@ as"ed the "ing)

<There is a state !eyond these t*o) Dis o&er that' it alone is real)@ The enlightened onsider themsel&es to !e a*a"e so' in their folly they all some $eo$le good and others !ad' some ha$$enings ,oyful and others sad) The a*a"ened are no longer at the mer y of life and death' gro*th and de ay' su ess and failure' $o&erty and ri hes' honour and disgra e) For them' e&en hunger' thirst' heat and old' e/$erien ed as transient in the ri&er of life no longer retain their sting) They ha&e ome to realiCe that there is ne&er any need to hange *hat they see # only the *ay they see it) And so they ome to ta"e on the Buality of *ater *hi h is soft and $liant yet irresisti!le in its $o*er0 *hi h does not stri&e yet !enefits all !eings) 1y their egoless a tion' others are transformed0 through their deta hment' the *hole *orld $ros$ers0 o*ing to their desirelessness others are left uns$oiled) Water is dra*n out of the ri&er to irrigate fields) The *ater is Buite indifferent to *hether it is $resent in the ri&er or in the fields) Thus it is that the enlightened a t and li&e s*eetly and $o*erfully in a ordan e *ith their destiny) These are the ones *ho !e ome the s*orn enemies of so iety *hi h hates li&ing $lia!leness and thri&es on drill' order' routine' on orthodo/y and onformity) IIIIIIIII Mamiya !e ame a *ell#"no*n Ken Master' !ut he had to learn Ken the hard *ay) While he *as a dis i$le his Master as"ed him to e/$lain the sound of one hand la$$ing) Mamiya ga&e it all he had' s"im$ing on food and slee$ so that he ould ome u$ *ith the orre t ans*er) 1ut his Master *as ne&er satisfied) He e&en said to him one day' <You-re not *or"ing hard enough) You are far too om fort#lo&ing0 too atta hed to the good things of life0 e&en too atta hed to finding the ans*er as Bui "ly as $ossi!le) It *ould !e !etter if you died)@ The ne/t time Mamiya ame !efore the Master he did something dramati ) When as"ed to e/$lain the sound of one hand la$$ing he fell o&er and stayed still as if he *ere dead) (aid the Master' <All right) (o you-re dead) 1ut *hat a!out the sound of one hand la$$ing?@ O$ening his eyes' Mamiya re$lied' <I ha&en-t !een a!le to sol&e that one yet)@ At this the Master shouted in fury' <FoolE Dead men don-t s$ea") Get outE@ You may not !e enlightened !ut you ould at least !e onsistentE IIIIIIIII Anand *as 1uddha-s most de&oted dis i$le) Years after 1uddha-s death a Great >oun il of the Enlightened *as $lanned and one of the dis i$les *ent to tell Anand a!out it) :o* at that time Anand *as still not enlightened himself though he had *or"ed at it strenuously for years) (o he *as not entitled to attend the >oun il) On the e&ening of the >oun il Meet he *as still not enlightened so he determined to $ra tise &igorously all night and not sto$ till he had attained his goal) 1ut all he su eeded in doing *as ma"ing himself e/hausted) He had not made the slightest $rogress in s$ite of all his efforts) (o to*ards da*n he de ided to gi&e u$ and get some rest) In that state in *hi h he had lost all greed' e&en for enlightenment' he rested his head on the $illo*) And he suddenly !e ame enlightenedE (aid the ri&er to the see"er; <Does one really ha&e to fret a!out enlightenment? :o matter *hi h *ay I turn I-m home*ard !ound)@ IIIIIIIII end