K'ang-4

[Guest guest]

The boy came and unrolled his mat where K’ang sat, cross-legged.

“Master?” He asked.

K’ang opened his eyes, and looked at the boy. “I am not a master. What

do you need?”

“I wish to learn to be like you” He said.

“Like me? Why? I can teach you nothing.” K’ang once again closed his

eyes.

After several minutes of silence, K’ang looked at the boy through his

age-worn eyes.

“Did you fly up here?? The boy smiled, and said he had not.

“ Then did you climb through the rocks? Did you swim a river? Crawl on

your knees to come to me?”

“No, venerated one. I took the middle path.”. K’ang smiled faintly.

“Now take this basket and go there and pick berries for us.”

The boy came back, with a basket fairly filled, and his legs an arms

scratched and bleeding.

“If you look for roses, you will find thorns.” K’ang said. “Tomorrow,

bring me tea.”