Watering the Garden
[Foolishness]
This story took place just before New Year’s Day in Benares,
in northern India, a long time ago. Everyone in the city, including the
gardener of the king’s pleasure garden, was busy preparing for the three-day
celebration that was about to follow. Now, in this pleasure garden lived a
large troop of monkeys. They always listened to the advice of their leader, the
monkey king, so that they did not have to think too much.
As the royal gardener wanted to celebrate the New Year’s
holiday, just like everybody else, he decided to hand his duties over to the
monkeys. “Oh king of monkeys, my honourable friend, would you do me a little
favour?” he asked the monkey king. “New Year’s Day is coming, and I wish to
celebrate it too. I will be away for three full days. There are plenty of
fruits, berries and nuts to eat in this lovely garden.
Please be my guest, and feast as much as you and your
subjects wish. But in return, please water the young trees and plants while I’m
gone.” “Don’t worry about a thing, my friend! We will do a terrific job! Have a
good time!” promised the monkey king.
The gardener showed the monkeys where the watering buckets
were kept. Feeling assured, he left to celebrate the festive holiday. “Happy
New Year!” the monkeys called after him as he left.
The next day, the monkeys filled up the buckets, and began
watering the young trees and plants. “My subjects, it is not good to waste
water. Therefore, pull each young tree or plant up before watering. Check how
long the roots are. Give more water to the ones with long roots, and less water
to the ones with short roots. That way, we will not waste water and the
gardener will be pleased!” instructed the monkey king.
Without giving it a second thought, the obedient subjects followed
their king’s orders. Meanwhile, a wise man was passing by the entrance of the
garden. He saw the monkeys uproot all the lovely young trees and plants,
measure their roots, and carefully pour water into the holes in the ground. “Oh
foolish monkeys, what do you think you’re doing to the king’s beautiful
garden?” he asked.
“We are watering the trees and plants, without wasting water!
We are commanded to do so by our king,” they answered. “If this is the wisdom
of the wisest among you - the leader - what are the rest of you like? Intending
to do a worthwhile deed, your foolishness turns it into disaster instead!” said
the man.
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