The Zen-Master
The Zen-Master Ryokan led but a simple life. He lived in a small hut close to the foot of a hill. Yet he only owned what he
needed for his daily living. One evening a thief entered the hut, when Ryokan was out fishing. The thief looked everywhere,
but could not find anything that was worth stealing.
When Ryokan returned and caught him in his hut, he was very surprised over the unexpected visitor.
"You must have walked a long way to see me, for as I live far away from the next village!" he said. "You must be rewarded
for your efforts and shan't leave empty handed! As I have nothing else to offer you, take the clothes I am wearing."
Baffled the thief took Ryokan's clothes and was off as quickly as he came.
This evening Ryokan sat outside his hut naked and marvelled at the beauty of the moon. He muttered to himself: "What a poor
follow this man is! I wish that instead of my dirty old clothes I could have given him the moon as a gift!"
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