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Each Person Shines His Own Way

A samurai who was known for his nobility and honesty, went to visit a Zen monk to ask him for his advice.

When the monk had finished his prayers, the Samurai asked, “Why do I feel so inferior? I have faced death many times, have defended those who are weak. Nevertheless, upon seeing you meditating, I felt that my life had absolutely no importance whatsoever.”

“Wait. Once I have attended to all those who come to see me today, I shall answer you.” – replied the monk.

The samurai spent the whole day sitting in the temple gardens, watching the people go in and out in search of advice. He saw how the monk received them all with the same patience and the same illuminated smile on his face.

At nightfall, when everyone had gone, he demanded: “Now can you teach me?”

The master invited him in and lead him to his room. The full moon shone in the sky, and the atmosphere was one of profound tranquility.

“Do you see the moon, how beautiful it is? It will cross the entire firmament, and tomorrow the sun will shine once again.”

“But sunlight is much brighter, and can show the details of the landscape around us: trees, mountains, clouds.”

“I have contemplated the two for years, and have never heard the moon say: why do I not shine like the sun? Is it because I am inferior?”

“Of course not.” – answered the samurai. “The moon and the sun are different things, each has its own beauty. You cannot compare the two.”

“So you know the answer. We are two different people, each fighting in his own way for that which he believes, and making it possible to make the world a better place; the rest are mere appearances.”

{ 35 comments… add one }
  • Sanaa November 19, 2014, 8:14 pm

    I don’t get it

  • Swati pandey November 8, 2014, 1:22 am

    Marvelous one….. teaches, one of the life’s biggest lesson.

  • Camilia August 26, 2013, 12:10 pm

    Awesome story .. very touching.

  • Wanjiru July 9, 2013, 6:51 am

    What should I say….awesome, cute, nice, above all life lesson learned. Thank you.

  • Nelson July 7, 2013, 6:07 am

    Love the story.

  • Maggi Malil June 7, 2013, 12:44 pm

    Awesome

  • Mapula June 2, 2013, 5:58 am

    I like this, it does indeed remind me that I am a unique person and thus I must not compare myself to others.

  • Dr. Derrick Angelsz June 2, 2013, 1:33 am

    Simply beautiful!

  • Arun Sonkamble May 30, 2013, 10:55 am

    It’s very simple in our life we realize now.

  • shradha bhargava May 28, 2013, 12:21 pm

    Well said. Similarly, each child has ability of its own never compare any child u have the best.

  • Shikhar May 28, 2013, 7:29 am

    So simple..so pure..so deep.

  • Pastor Sam May 26, 2013, 8:53 pm

    Quite inspiring. Sounds like true life story!

  • Satish Deshmukh May 24, 2013, 9:48 am

    Nice story

  • Manoj Tamang May 14, 2013, 8:13 am

    Very true, we should compare rather see goodness..in all things we see..

  • Priyanka April 22, 2013, 7:18 am

    Simple superb. Keep going. 🙂 🙂 🙂 …………

  • Ben Ayorinde April 15, 2013, 5:04 pm

    Differences make a team.

  • Michael April 12, 2013, 2:32 am

    True and delicious.

  • Melese April 11, 2013, 7:29 am

    Keep it up!

  • Jabeena April 10, 2013, 1:56 am

    Very nice and Good one….

  • Ezekiel Mudi April 6, 2013, 12:00 am

    True.

  • Rajiv April 5, 2013, 10:26 pm

    Really, your stories are motivational and teach a lot. Thanks for these and to enlighten the lives.

  • Subba April 4, 2013, 9:10 am

    We generally compare with others and we feel low and disappointed. We have to know that we are unique in our own ways.

  • Ritu Gupta April 4, 2013, 6:04 am

    Very true..short but amazing… love it…

  • Murali Krishna April 4, 2013, 5:57 am

    Nice story

  • Kusum April 3, 2013, 12:34 pm

    Very true… every person is unique in his own ways.

  • Nobert Wanjala April 2, 2013, 1:24 pm

    Very true! I think the author just substituted my name for the samurai. I feel touched.

  • Sonsolata April 2, 2013, 6:57 am

    I am inspired..keep it up.

  • M A Khan April 2, 2013, 2:31 am

    Nice lesson

  • Lino April 2, 2013, 1:51 am

    What a beautiful answer simple but de best.

  • Amudha April 2, 2013, 12:10 am

    Good

  • Emmanuel April 1, 2013, 11:26 pm

    Very true… Each person is unique in his own ways and destiny. 🙂

  • Mosopefoluwa April 1, 2013, 8:10 pm

    We are unique in our own way.

  • Mmalolo April 1, 2013, 6:53 pm

    What a lesson!!!

  • Petty April 1, 2013, 5:39 pm

    Very true and insipiring indeed. I love it!!!

  • Mohit Kapoor April 1, 2013, 10:52 am

    Simply Amazing……… 🙂

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