Bamboo’s Father
[Not Heeding Advice]
43
Once upon a time, there was a teacher who was such a good
meditator that he had developed his mind to a high level. Gradually, his fame
spread, and those who wished to be guided by a wise man came to hear him teach.
Soon, 500 decided to become his followers. Out of these 500 followers who
considered his teachings to be wise, there was a man who was a pet lover. In
fact, he loved pets so much that there was no animal he did not wish to keep as
a pet.
One day, he came upon a cute little poisonous snake that was
searching for food. He decided the snake would make an excellent pet. He made a
little bamboo cage to keep the snake when he had to leave it alone. The other
followers named the little snake, ‘Bamboo’. Because he was so fond of his pet,
they called the pet lover, ‘Bamboo’s Father’.
Not long after, the teacher heard that one of his followers
was keeping a poisonous snake as a pet. The teacher questioned Bamboo’s Father
and asked if this was true. “Yes master, I love Bamboo like my own child!” “It
is not safe to live with a poisonous snake. I advise you to let him go, for
your own good,” said the wise teacher.
But Bamboo’s Father thought he knew better. “This little one
is my son. He won’t bite me. I can’t give him up and live all alone!” The
teacher warned him: “Then surely, this little one will be the cause of your
death!” But the follower did not heed his master’s warning.
Soon after, all 500 of the followers went on a trip to
collect fresh fruits. Bamboo’s Father left his ‘son’ locked up in the bamboo
cage. Since there were many fruits to collect, it took them several days before
they returned. Bamboo’s Father realised that poor Bamboo had not eaten all the
while he was away. He opened the cage to let it out to find food. But when he
reached inside, his ‘son’ bit his hand. Having been neglected for all that
time, Bamboo was angry as well as hungry. Since it was only a snake, it had no
idea what poison was!
But his ‘father’ should have known better. After all, he had been
warned by the very teacher he himself considered wise. Within minutes of being
bitten, Bamboo’s Father dropped dead!
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