TZU CHI USA JOURNAL

This is a Japanese fairytale:

There was once a wild chestnut tree on a mountain. With a sudden gust of wind, many ripe chestnuts dropped from it.

The monkeys nearby were happy to see the chestnuts fall. They fetched a basket to collect some. Apart from what they needed themselves, they also picked up some for their friends.

As they were picking up the chestnuts, more fell from the tree. One of the monkeys said, “Let’s leave some for the fox. He will be here soon.” So they collected just what they needed, one basket of chestnuts, before going home.

Soon after, the fox came by and saw the chestnuts on the ground. He picked them up happily, then thought, “I’d better save some for the field mice!” So he also took just what he needed before going home.

Sure enough, the field mice also came by, and picked up more chestnuts. They looked around, and since it seemed that no other animals would be coming, they took all the chestnuts on the ground and left.

Surprisingly, a raccoon showed up. When he saw there were no chestnuts left, he sighed and said, “Why do I run so slowly? There are no more chestnuts for me.” Then he looked up and saw many chestnuts still in the tree. He said to himself, “Am I allowed to pick fruits that don’t fall on their own? I had better behave myself!”

Just then, a crow flew over and saw the raccoon’s disappointment. The crow flew into the tree and shook the branches with its beak. Many chestnuts fell. The raccoon happily collected them, and the crow also felt happy and delighted for the raccoon.

This is just a fairytale, but it contains an important lesson: “With harmony and respect among people, the world can be peaceful and harmonious!”