The Fable Below Is Based on Real Life Truths.
Long, long ago, a girl in a fishing village was found with child.
Being tortured, she finally revealed that the Zen master was the father.
On the outskirts of the village, the villagers found him meditating.
The villagers denounced him as a hypocrite and
told him to keep the baby.
Taking the baby, the master said, “Very well, very well.”
He made arrangements with a woman in the village to
feed, clothe, and care for the infant at his expense.
His reputation was ruined. His followers abandoned him.
After one year, the young girl confessed,
“The boy next door is the father.”
In the spirit of contrition, the villagers asked the Zen master for the child back.
The master said, “Very well, very well” (De Mello, 1982, p. 94).
For you, what’s the lesson of the story?
Can you share?
Meditation
“For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it” (Proverbs 8:11, public domain, KJV).
“Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord” (John, 8:10 & 11, public domain, KJV).
Reference
De Mello, A. (1982). The Song of the bird. p. 94. Lonavla; Indian: An Image Book.
