The master and his disciple were walking beside a stream, when the disciple asked, "Master, what it strength?"
The master stopped, and as is often the custom with masters, responded to his question with a question. "Which is stronger, you or a cup of water?"
The disciple replied, "Water has no muscles, so of course I am stronger."
The master in turn said, "Form a cup with your hands and scoop some water out of the stream. Then, keep it in your hands until I say to release it."
The disciple did as he was told, but the water seeped out of his hands. "Try again," the master said. Once more, the disciple cupped his hands and pressed them tightly together; still the water slowly seeped out of his grasp. The master invited him to try again, knowing he would use all of his might to close the gaps between his fingers and his hands. However, the water seeped out.
The disciple, realizing he was destined to failure, turned to the master to understand the meaning of the lesson.
The master, a compassionate man, did not make him wait. "You are stronger," he said, "But the water is wiser. Which is true strength?"
Blessings,
David
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