An Optionless Choice

A rich, old man with no offspring decides to hold a competition to determine who should get his inheritance. He summons all the poor people in the locality, and gives each one a seed. “Plant this seed and nurture it. In one year, bring back the flower that grows from it. Whoever brings me the most beautiful flower is capable of nurturing my wealth, and(..)

The Tidy Ways

A young priest was in charge of the garden within a famous Zen temple. Next to this temple there was a smaller temple where lived an old Zen master.  Once the priest was expecting special guests in the evening.  So he woke up early that day and spent a long time carefully raking up and arranging all the dry autumn leaves. As he worked, the old master(..)

The Moneyless Guarantee

There was a business owner who was deep in debt and could see no way out.  He sat on a park bench, head in hands.  Suddenly an old man appeared before him.   After listening to the man’s woes, the old man said, “I believe I can help you.”  He asked the man his name and wrote out a check, “Take this money. Meet me here exactly one year from(..)

old man - Arun Nathani Blog