I decided to share another story from my book Tales from the Tao, which I love more and more. This story I totally get and just want to share.
On Eating by Solala Towler
A teacher was traveling with some of her students. At one of their stops they were served the meat of a pig. The students were horrified to see the teacher calmly eating this forbidden food. "Teacher," they cried, "is not the flesh of an animal forbidden by our order?"
The teacher went on chewing slowly, clearly savoring the taste of the pig. When she had finished she said, "Can you not see that it was a great and honored gift from these poor people to be given this delicacy? No doubt it was given at great cost to them and with an attitude of humbleness and generosity. Who am I to spurn their gift?"
"Besides," she said, taking another bite, "it is not what goes into your mouth that defiles you, but what comes out."
***
This story has 2 great messages packed into one short story. I am constantly baffled by how entirely ungrateful people are. Yet another thing my husband has taught me, always show your gratitude, if you think they get it, say thank you one more time.
And the last line is a doozy.
No comments:
Post a Comment