An Owl's Story: A Fictional Tale

Owl was a bit different than the other birds. Sure, he flew like they did, sought food as any of them do. He could not explain where it was this feeling of "something more was needed" came from. Nor could he explain what that "something more" was. So on he lived like all the rest the best he could.

The years passed, knowledge grew- He became dedicated to knowing more. His knowledge expanded at a rather rapid pace, that "something more" emptiness inside never getting smaller. One day, frustrated to no end at this emptiness that would not go away, it occurred to him, "Is there something I'm missing? What if knowledge is only part of this unsolvable mystery?"

So search he did, trying one thing after another in tandem with his broad knowledge. His anger peaking one day, he shouted, "What is this wisdom I am missing?!!" It was then that it struck him- what is wisdom? Everyone spoke about wisdom, all the intellectual gossip seemed to revolve around these well-known People of Great Wisdom. So how to find out exactly what it was, and how do we even obtain it? Oh! "I will seek out one of these wise people and learn from them!", he thought to himself with much fervor. "But... How do I find them? Surely someone knows where they are. These people are highly regarded!", his thoughts continued.

So seek he did, and as he had thought, people did know! They were kind to Owl, as many could see there was a fire in his heart- so guide him they did with pleasure.

His journey had finally come to fruition! There before his very eyes, a Wise One. Carefully he approached, uncertain what courtesy was expected. The Wise One met his eyes, and with a smile that shone so bright the Sun itself would be proud, he beckoned Owl forth. "Please! Have a seat young one, I see a fire inside of you", said Wise One. Owl obliged, sitting close in opposite the man, "Oh well thank you kind sir". A soft laugh from the "sir", "I am Chah. Not sir, not Wise One.", laughing all the more. "We are of similar heart, young one. What may I call you?", Chah inquired. Unsure if his name was what the man was seeking, Owl stuttered hesitantly, "Umm... Owl. That's my name, yes", he finished in an embarrased rush. "Well Owl, a pleasure to meet a young one such as yourself with that intense fire within. Might I ask why you have sought me so? Surely your journey has been a long one.", Chah spoke forth with a profound sense of humble. Owl then explained- not knowing where to start, he began with the "something more that is missing". As his tale unfolded, Chah listened closely and with great patience. Owl finished with the fact that no amount of knowledge filled that emptiness.

An extended silence then began as Chah considered his tale. "I see", said the man slowly. "You seek the other half." Confused, Owl shrugged and said, "I'm not certain what you mean by 'other half'." Chah regarded him with another lengthy pause, before, "Wisdom, my young friend. Knowledge is a puzzle piece, and as such, there are more pieces that need finding."

Owl later came to call the man, Ajahn Chah. Study with a passion, Owl did. Often he was told, "One can search for wisdom until they are exhausted beyond fit. However, when you have enough pieces of the puzzle that fit together, wisdom will indeed find you."

Patience, as Owl soon discovered, was a never ending practice. Aye, the more Owl began to understand, the more he anticipated that desired arrival of wisdom. Frustration once again took hold, his patience harder with every passing day. Anger over took reason one afternoon, his query sharp of tongue, "Why??! Why, master Chah, is there no wisdom you promised me??".

Chah bade him have a seat, and when ready, "Wisdom is like a turtle with a mustache. Yes! Haha my friend, that nabbed your curiosity! How many times have you ever found a turtle with a mustache?". Owl could only shrug with a reply of- never. "Exactly! The turtle with a mustache finds you!". A heavy sigh, an indignant look cast master's way, Owl argued, "I know! But... When does it find me? What am I doing wrong, master?". Chah gave him that same loving smile, "There is no wrong path to wisdom. That turtle knows it's place... Do you?".

A baffled Owl stomped to his feet, trudging off in mild fury. Days following, he refused his studies, unwilling to expend such energy for something that is naught but a myth to him. Finally, the master waltzed over to his frustrated student and spoke, "Have you been practicing?". Owl snorted, said in an irritated mumble, "I've done everything you've asked! What else is there to do??". "That's not what I asked, my young friend. Think on my words", and as quietly as ever, master walked away.

Owl's bitterness soon subsided, his thoughts determined again to find the answer in master's words. Unable to think straight, his mind wandered as he watched the other birds in their elegant dance among the skies. "They really are a sight to behold...", he thought. "How are they ever able to do such in so beautiful a manner? Aye, how much practice that would..."!!! He leaped to his feet, that's it!! "Master has shown me many meanings to his wisdoms, but my practice has been so little!!" Owl berated himself til satisfied his determination was again at full tilt.

He stopped his study of the wisdoms to focus more on putting to use what he was taught. Weeks passed, then months. He was beginning to doubt the practice was the answer after all. In a slump, he sat down on a rock. In due time, an elephant wondered by, cheerfully voicing, "Why hello there young owl. I couldn't help but notice, you've a look of disappointment." Putting on his best smile, Owl replied, "You are very perceptive sir elephant. I'm struggling lately to find understanding to what I'm missing."

After a brief but informative talk- the elephant now knowing Owl was a student of Ajahn Chah, asked, "I've been having some issues with a couple of monkeys that recently moved into our village yonder. Any good advice that might help my situation?" In ponderous thought, Owl decided, "Monkeys, you say?" A nod. "Well, it occurred to me, sir, that perhaps they aren't trying to bother you per say. What if, that's simply how they are?" Sir elephant seemed to freeze, followed by an outburst, "That's it!! None of the others in that village bother me... I simply didn't understand the ways of those monkeys!" A quick hop and a twirl of delight, "Ajahn Chah has taught you very well young owl. Thank you so much!" Stunned, Owl stood there watching a gleeful elephant trot on to his way home.

Not understanding exactly what had just happened, he slowly sat back down upon the rock. "What did I say exactly that would have such an impact on sir elephant?", browsing his mind's memory of the occurrence. "All I said, was that maybe that's just how they...OH!!" Leaping off that rock, landing square on his feet, another cry of elation rang loud. "Haha!! Of course! So that's a glimpse of how wisdom could work. What I thought was a rather bland, obvious observation, was actually a wise message to sir elephant!!" In a state of overflowing joy, he flew home to master in a speed that any falcon would have smiled at with acknowledgement.

"Master!!" So excited, he sped around in a blur, "Ajahn Chah!! I figured it out! Well I figured something out anyways!" No response. His elation winding down, he finally saw the note, "Went to village. Groceries. Be back before dark." A hefty harrumph! "Well. more practice with patience I guess.", a sigh. He then decided that this would be a great time to understand his breakthrough a little better.

Minutes, then hours passed. It occurred to Owl, "What if, I have more wisdom than I thought? How would I be able to tell?" Another hour spent upon this tricky question, as then the master walked in, a greeting as he dispensed the groceries in their respective places. "Master... How would I know if what I have learned is wisdom or not?" Turning, Ajahn Chah said sagely, "How has your practice been going?" A pause, then Owl replied, "Well I've put so much effort into practice for a long while now. But how would it show?" Slowly, master walked around the table to his seat, "I spoke with elephant." A light in Owl's eyes, "You did?". "Yes young Owl. And I heard a most intriguing story." Owl sat patiently, "He was quite sure a student of mine had given him a very useful insight about... monkeys, I believe is what he said." Owl, as wide eyed as possible, looked on. "Yes indeed. You see though, I currently only have one student. Surely you didn't meet elephant, did you?".

Unable to hold his excitement back any longer, Owl rushed into his story. Master chuckled at times, seemed surprised at others with an occasional, "Oh?" By the time Owl was done, Chah was well ready for his own response, "I see. A question for you- I'm curious, how it felt to help the elephant?". Taken aback, not having given much thought to that, slowly Owl said, "Honestly master? It felt great." Chah gave a patient look to continue. "I didn't know the right answer, master. So I went with the next best thought that came to mind." A closer study of his student, before saying quietly, "That, my wonderful friend, is wisdom."

Silence. "Oh do animate yourself Owl, it's no big secret! It's been sitting on your shoulder for a long time now." Still a confused quiet settles. A drawn out sigh, "Owl. Do you even know what a turtle with a mustache looks like?" A shrug, not understanding master's meaning. "You've never seen one before... So how would you know if it had found you already or not?" A sigh full of exasperation and dwindling patience, "I don't know master...". A chuckle and a head-tilted look of "Isn't it obvious?" directed square at Owl.

"You mean, maybe, I was able to see it was wisdom because of sir elephant?" That warm smile, "So very warm, my friend. One further step. What was needed, in order for the wisdom to be recognized?" Owl, blank as could be, said, "Well all I did was share my perspec..tive..." Silence. "That's it??!! Ohhh, wow. You're telling me, it's as simple as sharing?"

A hearty laugh now, chuckling still as he said, "Well it wouldn't be very helpful if noone knew of it, now would it?" A quick fit of further chuckles before finishing, "Wisdom is a gift. How does anyone receive a gift? By the giving from another. Study. Practice. More puzzle pieces. You have learned many things that not everyone considers priority in life. That's quite OK really. Everyone has their own wonderfully unique role in life. Those who so seek... that is why we dedicate the time needed for these understandings! So we can share them! That they who receive can too, gift someday to another... Wisdom is not a one-person job. It takes an entire World to discover it's secrets."

Owl has since taken the gift he was given, to share with anyone willing to listen. The more he gave, the more he received- That is Karma in a nutshell.

I ask of you- please, do not turn from them who wish to give to you so freely. So few things in life are ever free. What they may offer you is a gift that will never stop giving. Every person given such a gift, will also find someone in need. Wisdom is the World.

No one person could ever possibly control what is given so freely from the heart.
~ awno ~

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