The Stump

                The student asked his Kung-fu master, “Master when are we going to remove that tree stump from our training yard, it’s in the way and very unattractive?”   The master just nodded and didn’t say anything.  

                The next day when the student arrived in the training yard, he looked at the stump, and a big smile overcame him.  Perched on top of the stump sat a great vase of flowers.   Beside the vase sat a strong statue of a dragon, and beside the dragon a cool bucket of drinking water.     

                When the master entered the yard, the student said, “Master I thought you were going to get rid of that ugly stump?”

                The master replied, “When you decorate the stump, you regain all possibilities.”

                The next day when the master entered the training area, he saw the vase, the dragon statue, and the drinking bucket, sitting on a stool beside the stump.  On top of the stump, the master happily observed the student diligently working on his kung-fu stances and techniques trying to stay balanced and fluid on the stump. 

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