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K'ang 7
As told by Jerry M. Pickard
K'ang and the boy had spent much of the day gardening, and decided to rest. Taking a basket of fruit that had ripened, they walked back to K'ang's dwelling. On the way, the boy played with K'ang's staff, dancing in circles, stabbing, thrusting, and twirling it at invisible enemies.
"K'ang," asked the boy, "Where did your staff come from?"
K'ang looked wistful. And replied. "It was given to me by my Master, many, many years ago."
The boy, awed with respect, moved to hand it back. K'ang made gassho and said to the boy, "It, like all things is made to be used."
By then, they had returned to K'ang's living place, and K'ang with a sigh, lowered himself to the ground. "Make tea, boy" he said, and the boy stirred the tiny fire, and began to prepare it, "K'ang, when will I be like you?"
The old man reached into the basket and chose a melon they had just harvested.
"When your head is like this melon! Content to be a melon!" And he smiled and said, "And silent…"
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