August 23, 2010

Qui Jun and the Arrogant Monk

There once lived a monk called Shan, in a village in China. He had earned a great name for himself. But he was very arrogant. Qui Jun heard of his arrogance and wanted to teach the monk a lesson. He went to meet Shan who neither greeted him nor acknowledged his presence. Just then a servant of the monk came with a message: “The son of an army officer is here to see you.” The monk said, “I will go and greet him.” Shan welcomed the son of the army officer with respect. After the army officer’s son had departed Qui Jun asked Shan the reason for his double-faced behaviour. “Why is it that you greeted the army officer’s son so respectfully, yet behaved so arrogantly towards me?” Shan the Monk had a quick reply: “Please don’t get me wrong. For me greeting meansnot greeting and not greeting means greeting.” Qui Jun understood the monk’s mischief and hit him hard on his head with his stick. “According to your logic, beating you means not beating and not beating you means beating. Therefore, I have to give you a beating,” said Qui Jun. Shan immediately realised the folly of his actions and started showing respect to everyone he met, irrespective of their status. lily
August 5, 2010

The Forgotten Mother

A gray old woman sits all alone Unloved, uncherished and unknown. Sitting beside her broken door. Dreaming of days past long ago, When children played about her knee Filling the air with childish glee, Tended by her with loving care. Knowing the blessing of a Mother’s prayer. But now they have gone, each to his life A girl to her husband, a boy to his wife, Forgetful are they of her who sits here Silently wiping a tricking tear, For striving for things in a life so brief Blind their poor eyes to a dear Mother’s grief. But does she upbraid them in word or in mind. Nor does their neglect to her seem unkind. She’ll forgive and forget all unkindness they’ve shown This poor old mother who sits alone. RUBY LATIMER EDWARDS Silvie
Call Now Button