A disciple of a guru came to the conclusion,
that he was already sufficiently independent,
to separate from his master
and start living on his own.
He took his modest supplies
and set off into the mountains.
After several years,
during which he did not inform his master about himself,
he suddenly appeared
at the door of his hut.
“So what, my dear son,”
the guru asked:
“What have you learned?”
“Imagine, father:
I have long been troubled by the thought,
that I am wasting too much time
earning a living
and also by the fact that my meals are, compared to beggars,
too good.
And so I have diligently practiced
and today I can say,
that a handful of pine needles is enough for my sustenance.”
The guru merely raised an eyebrow
and said:
“If you haven't learned
anything else,
it was wasted time.”
