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A Zen Tale from Japan
There was once a man who was being chased by a ferocious tiger across a field. At the edge of the field there was a cliff. In order to escape the jaws of the tiger, the man caught hold of a vine and swung himself over the edge of the cliff. Dangling down, he saw, to his dismay, there were more tigers on the ground below him! And, furthermore, two little mice were gnawing on the vine to which he clung. He knew that at any moment he would fall to certain death. That's when he noticed a wild strawberry growing on the cliff wall. Clutching the vine with one hand, he plucked the strawberry with the other and put it in his mouth.
He closed his eyes as the sweetness filled his mouth. "Ah, delicious."
* * *
I love this story. Take from it what you will.
What is delicious in your life, in this moment?
(c) 2009 Laura S. Packer
Ah, apart from a fantastic could tomato and arugula soup I made for dinner last night?
ReplyDeleteMy children. Watching them explore, and learn, and play. Listening to them talk.
I also find stories delicious.
I've wondered about the origin of this tale for years. I see that is has both Hindu and Buddhist roots. Interesting how these older versions have a different point to make than the Zen version.