The Master Teaches

While walking through the Temple gardens, a young student and his Master spotted a large hole in a rock formation. The student turned to his Master and asked, "Master what creature Lives there?" The Master stopped and looked down at his apprentice and answered, "I do not know, my young one. Why don’t you put your hand down the hole and find out?"

"But Master what if the animal bites me?" The Master looked at the boy and sitting down on a rock answered him by saying, "Is it not best to learn for yourself, rather than be told by others? Will you go through life always wondering what you may encounter? Is it not best to always get out the unknown to gain the knowledge you seek? Is it not best to experience life than to always wonder about such things?" Promptly the young boy shoved his hand down the hole and let out a yell that startled the Master. As the young boy withdrew his hand it was bleeding and had been bitten. "Master, you knew what was living there and did not warn me. Why did you allow me to do such a thing knowing I would be bitten?"

The Master rose from his seated position and a smile came to his face. "Young man, I can only suggest what you should do, it is up to your own heart and mind to make the decision on your own. In life you will meet many people who will suggest you do many things. Some dangerous, some beneficial, some that will bring you great knowledge. Have you not learned a lesson?"

With tears in his eyes, the child said yes, not to put your hand down a hole. The Master looked perplexed and asked again, "Is that all you have learned?"

The young boy did not answer. "Come", said the Master, "sit beside me and I will tell you what you have learned. You asked me a question I could not answer and you sought the truth. At times the truth can harm you, at other times the truth will bring you knowledge. Both apply to your experience.

You have also sought the unknown to add to your knowledge and now that you have it, you can apply it to your future. However, the most important lesson of all is; one may suggest for you to do some deed, but the decision to follow is yours and yours alone to make. You then must live with the results of that decision, never blaming anyone for it. To blame some one else for your decision is like robbing yourself of integrity and dignity. Whether that decision is good or bad, beneficial or harmful, there is knowledge in it and you must seek that knowledge and apply it to your future decisions. One last point, seek your inner feelings, if it feels right it usually is, if it feels wrong don't follow"

As they rose to walk away, a Ferret came from the hole and stood in front of the young man. The Master laughed and turning to the boy and said, "See, the very creature you have been feeding has bitten you. Even the hand that is extended in friendship can sometimes hurt. Another lesson learned." At that point the child reached into his pouch and took out a bit of food. He bent down to feed the ferret who took it gratefully from his hands.

"Ah," said the Master, "another lesson: forgiveness -the most important lesson of all."

All now was back in Harmony.