Eastern tales, whether from China or Japan, often share deep wisdom through simple stories. These timeless lessons still resonate today. Here are two tales that highlight the value of wisdom and tact.
The Zen Master’s reply
Along a street lined with cherry blossom trees in Japan, opposite a temple, there was a flower shop. One day, the shop owner discovered that his unmarried daughter was pregnant. He pressed her to reveal the father of the child. Out of fear of her father’s wrath, she hastily claimed: “It’s the monk from the temple across the street!”
Infuriated, the father confronted the Zen Master in the temple, only to receive a calm reply: “You don’t say?”
In time, the daughter gave birth to a baby girl. Her parents, carrying the infant, approached the Zen Master, demanding he adopt the child. The monk responded with the same unflustered manner: “You don’t say?”
Word spread about the incident, casting suspicious glances upon the Zen Master. However, he remained serene and unaffected. As time wore on, the daughter, unable to bear her guilt, confessed the truth to her father. Once the truth was unveiled, the parents rushed to apologize to the Zen Master, who once again responded with: “You don’t say?”
The Zen Master believed that when faced with baseless accusations, silence is the best defense, and tolerance the best rebuttal. Truth always reveals itself in the end, and the unfolding events validated his wisdom.
The Emperor’s art sale
During the Song Dynasty, a young man traveled to the capital for the imperial examinations. On the streets, he came across an art vendor. Being a lover of art, he approached, only to find the artwork lacking in quality. After a brief glance, he prepared to leave. Just then, the seller stopped him, inquiring: “How much do you think this painting is worth?” The young man candidly replied: “To be frank, this painting is worth just a single silver coin.” And with that, he continued on his way. The seller looked displeased, but said nothing.
Later, after achieving a top score in the examinations, the young man was granted an audience with the emperor. To his shock, the emperor was the same man he had met selling art on the streets. Unknown to him at the time, the emperor was in disguise, conducting a secret personal survey.
Recognizing the young man, the emperor, desiring to test him further, produced the same painting, asking: “How much do you believe this painting is worth now?”
The young scholar was in a dilemma. To reiterate its meager worth might be deemed disrespectful. Yet he didn’t want to abandon his integrity to appease the emperor. With tact, he responded: “If this painting is a gift from Your Majesty to me, it is priceless. But if sold, it’s worth a single silver coin.”
Far from being displeased, the emperor was elated, appreciating the wisdom and loyalty displayed by the young man. From that moment, he held a favored position in the emperor’s court.
The scholar, despite facing the emperor, did not deviate from his beliefs, earning him the emperor’s admiration. This showcases the importance of wisely expressing one’s convictions.
Translated by Joseph Wu
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