Inspirational Story for all those who are still "holding on"... This is a repeated story I had from my previous blog. I feel that this story is very meaningful & it helped me during my darkest days in life. So I'm posting this story on this new blog for my friends whom have yet to read this... Pls sit back & enjoy the story. =)
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Once upon a time, there lived a old monk & a little monk in a rundown temple up upon the hills, located within the rural area of ancient China. One day, the old monk brought the little monk along, to the nearby town to collect alms & purchase supplies for the temple.
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So they were travelling down the hill towards the town which was some distance away. The little monk followed closely behind the old monk taking in the sights & scenes of the colourful world beyond the temple walls. Soon they came to a small rive, where the only passage through was a fell tree that served as a bridge connecting both sides of the banks. The pathway was narrow, barely enough to let one person walk through. Hence it could allow only passage in only one direction.
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As the old monk & little monk tried to make their way across the bridge, there came along a beautiful, young lady from the opposite side of the bank. The little monk was able to identify the lady from his past trips, as a well-known prostitue from the nearby town, famous for her flirting & teasing. Soon they met each other in the middle of the bridge, coming to a halt. Both parties remained silent for a moment. Finally the old monk spoke up.
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Old monk: Young lady, I'm with my little disciple, heading to the nearby town to collect some alms & buy supplies for the temple. Could you kindly let us pass?
Prostitue: I'm not gonna give way to both of you, stinking monks. I'm in a hurry. Why don't both of you let me pass first and not block my way?
Little monk: Hey, Miss, who are you calling stinking...
(as the old monk cut him off before the little monk could finish his sentence)
Old monk: Very well then, we shall let the young lady pass through first. She seems to be in a rush for time.
Prostitue: (seeing this as a sign of weakness, went on to feign injury) Ahhh, I think I sprained my ankle and I can't walk at all. Could you carry me across the opposite bank & let me rest by the boulder over there (pointing to a boulder on the opposite side of the bank)?
Old monk: (knowing that the prostitute was lying) If that is the case, then I will gladly help the young lady across the river to the other side of the bank where you will be able to rest.
Little monk: ......
Old monk: (without a second to waste, the old monk turned around, his back facing the prostitue) Please, get onto my back, I will carry you over to the other side.
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And so, the old monk carried the prostitue, step by step, back to the side of the bank where he & the little monk had started from. The old monk set the prostitue down by the boulder where she could rest. Then the old monk bid the prostitue farewell as he & the little monk carried on with the rest of the journey to the town. Throughout the journey, the little monk seemed troubled, but kept silent.
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After travelling some distance, they finally reached the entrance of the town. Just then, the little monk couldn't contain himself anymore... his curiosity was overflowing from within him. He finally gathered himself & asked the old monk.
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Little monk: Teacher, I just don't understand how you could carry that young lady whom you & I clearly knew was a prostitute, on your back, across the river? Aren't we as monks, supposed to keep our distance from women? In addition, that lady is unclean, she is a prostitute. Aren't we breaking the rules as monks? I just don't understand... I tried to figure it out by myself, but throughout the whole journey I cannot think of any good reasons... Why? Teacher, why?
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So many questions the little monk asked. So many doubts inside the little monk's mind. All waiting for answers. But the old monk merely answered in a simple sentence, before entering into the town.
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The old monk said, in a peaceful tone, "Little disciple, I have already put the young lady down back by the river... Why are you still carrying her on your back? Isn't it time too you put her down?"...
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