There once was a student monk who lived in a remote village, learning from his teacher for many years. When he came of age, the teacher told him to go out in the world and share what he had learned. So the student went forth, and before long was blocked by a vast river. He returned to his teacher and asked what he should do. The teacher handed him a big rock and sent him on his way. Proudly the student threw the big rock in the river, and saw that he could use it as a stepping stone. With another stone from the bank, he threw in the next one. With a third rock in hand, he jumped out to the second rock and froze in terror. The mist was so thick that he couldn’t see in front or behind him. “Where should I throw the third stone?” he thought. Too scared to make the wrong decision, he returned to his teacher. “What should I do, teacher?” he asked. With a compassionate smile, the teacher replied, “This is how life is, young one. You may only be able to see the next step, but if you continue to follow the lessons you learn, and have faith in the process, you will find your way.”
The Monk and the Misty River
