The Move

Two men stopped by a Zen temple

To speak with the temple master, who

They hoped would gladly share with them

His honest and expert point of view.

 

The first man said, "I think I want

To move to the local town, so please

Tell me what the town is like.

That will put my mind at ease."

 

The master responded, "Tell ME about

Your current town. How would you rate it?"

"Ugh!" the man replied. "The people

There are mean and hateful. I hate it!"

 

The master listened calmly, and then

Shaking his head, he said, "It's clear

From what you have been telling me

That you would also hate it here."

 

The man bowed and left the room.

The second man entered the room and sat.

He also inquired about the town

And the surrounding habitat.

 

"Tell me about your current town,"

The master said with a smile on his face.

"The people are nice," the man replied.

"It's a truly wonderful place."

 

"Ah!" the master exclaimed. "Then from

What you're telling me, I can tell

That you without a doubt are going

To love the local town as well."

-by Bob B (3-3-21)

°An old Zen anecdote retold here in verse

(Photo from Kyoto Taizoin/Facebook)