597. the guru’s task

the guru came to the Goddess and said, “teach me the truth.”

the Goddess told him to pick up every leaf in the forest.

the guru spent hours, days, and weeks cleaning up the forest, until he had picked up every last leaf. then, he returned and said, “i have done as you asked. what was the truth that i learned?”

“how much nicer the forest looks now that we’ve cleaned!”

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