A priest was in charge of the garden within a famous temple. He had been
given the job because he loved the flowers, shrubs, and trees. Next to
the temple there was another, smaller temple where there lived a very
old Saint. One day, when the priest was expecting some special guests,
he took extra care in tending to the garden. He pulled the weeds,
trimmed the shrubs, combed the moss, and spent a long time meticulously
raking up and carefully arranging all the dry autumn leaves. As he
worked, the old saint watched him with interest from across the wall
that separated the temples.
When he had finished, the priest stood back to admire his work. "Isn't it beautiful," he called out to the old master. "Yes," replied the old man, "but there is something missing. Help me over this wall and I'll put it right for you."
After hesitating, the priest lifted the old fellow over and set him down. Slowly, the master walked to the tree near the center of the garden, grabbed it by the trunk, and shook it. Leaves showered down all over the garden. "There," said the old man, "you can put me back now."
:)
When he had finished, the priest stood back to admire his work. "Isn't it beautiful," he called out to the old master. "Yes," replied the old man, "but there is something missing. Help me over this wall and I'll put it right for you."
After hesitating, the priest lifted the old fellow over and set him down. Slowly, the master walked to the tree near the center of the garden, grabbed it by the trunk, and shook it. Leaves showered down all over the garden. "There," said the old man, "you can put me back now."
:)
