THE APPLE & THE ORANGE...

The master rested on a bench in the park. The fountain attracted youngsters who ran their hands through the water.

One of his ex-students, now an adult, took a place next to him.

"How are you, O Venerable One?" he inquired.

"I am fine, but by your expression I can discern that you are troubled. What is the problem?"

"I find myself in a dilemma. I love two beautiful and intelligent women and they love me."

"I congratulate you on your surfeit of riches, my son."

"But I know that I can't have both. What can I do?"

"If I showed you a ripe apple and a juicy orange and asked you to choose one, would you savor the fruit you were eating or would you be craving for the fruit you had rejected?"

"I would savor the fruit I was eating."

"Then pick and relish."

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THE CROW...

I was walking through Sabal Palms sanctuary when I felt something soft hit my head. I ran my hand through my hair only to discover that something had defecated on me. I peered into a tree and scoured the branches. A crow was perched on a limb. He defecated again on my head. "I hope you feel better," I said. The crow flapped its wings and flew away.

WINE...

The master gazed toward the horizon from the window in his cell. In the distance he could see the spires that overlooked the plaza. On foot from the monastery it was an hour journey to the city's center. On his table was a glass, an uncorked bottle of wine and a plate of salami, cheese and crackers. The sun was disappearing behind the mountains. Three hours later a full moon filled the sky. The bottle was empty. The plate was empty. The master asked himself: "Have I attained a temporary state of nirvana or am I slightly inebriated?" He relished the passing euphoria. "Not every question has an answer," he thought to himself. "And not every question requires an answer."

HAPPY BIRTHDAY...

The master was celebrating his 70th birthday. It was neither here nor there for him. He had risen earlier than usual. He drank several glasses of water and embarked on a long walk that took him along several streams, through wooden areas, past fields of corn interspersed by stretches of green and finally over a knoll that dropped down onto the monastery's grounds. He ate a large bowl of chicken soup filled with vegetables. He drank several more glasses of water and retired to the garden where he sheltered himself under a large hat. He wasn't sure about the knowledge that he had gained from several decades on this orb except that he had been lucky. He had been blessed with loving parents, a strong body, a good education and a healthy curiosity. A smile creased his still youthful face as he quietly sang "Happy Birthday" to himself.

THE MASTER

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