Strawberries in the grass on the hill

I read a strange book once, and I really couldn't tell you what it was about or if I liked it or if I hated it. However, there was one little anecdote that really...struck me.

It seems a Zen master was out walking one day when he met with a fearsome tiger. Like all good Zen masters, this one had a way with animals, and he made his best effort to calm the beast by singing a soothing chant to him. The tiger was distracted for a few moments, but then, presumably giving in to his own nature, he lunged at the master and chased him. The master ended up at the edge of a high cliff overlooking a rocky sea.

With the tiger now about to pounce, the master slipped over the top of the cliff and hung by his fingertips to a strawberry vine that was growing just under the ledge.

Below him was the roiling sea. Above him was the tiger. Beside him now, however, two mice started to gnaw at the vine to which he was clinging.

What does the master do?

What he does is marshal all his strength to reach over and pick a strawberry that is growing on the vine. And then the master eats the strawberry, letting the juice run down his chin.

You see, the tiger is time, and no matter how you try, you cannot master him. The sea is death, and sometimes you can see it, sometimes it is less conspicuous. But you cannot spend your entire life dwelling on either of these. All you can do is enjoy your strawberries.

I was reminded of it because I was eating some gorgeous strawberries today in the grass on the hill with Petya. It was so perfect. A few of those rare moments where you are really and truly content.

Anyways. Enjoy your strawberries.

xx