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K'ang 9

As told by Jerry M. Pickard

K'ang was at rest under the tree that shaded his dwelling. All around him the evidence of his gentle labor flourished, and yet the old tree was gnarled and stunted. The boy knelt respectfully near him.

"Namya K'ang, Why is this tree so ugly?" K'ang paused in his thoughts. "It is not, boy. Only what you see seems ugly. Look more, and see again."

"It is old, and bent. It leans over away from the wind. It has no fruit." K'ang said, "Why is that ugly in your eyes?"

"Everything else in your gardens is apyana, robust, strong and beautiful." The boy replied.

"There is beauty in all things if you but see." Said K'ang. "Does not the tree live? It has been there as a sentinel, it makes shade, it embraces the birds and gives them night sanctuary. It makes a place among its branches for the butterflies. It gives food to the insects that pollinate the other plants, and is a shelter for the weaker animals from predators. Listen to the tree and let it tell you of itself, then you will see the beauty." K'ang paused, tired of himself for speaking so much. "Look boy! See the tree from all sides, and you will see truly that all sides are different, but all the same. This is life. Now make tea."

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[ Introduction ] [ K'ang 1 ] [ K'ang 2 ] [ K'ang 3 ] [ K'ang 4 ] [ K'ang 5 ] [ K'ang 6 ] [ K'ang 7 ][ K'ang 8 ] [ K'ang 9 ]
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