The first time I listen the story is from Ajahn Brahm podcast (https://www.bswa.org), then I also found this story from his book “Opening the Door for Your Heart”.
Once upon a time there was a young emperor who ask questions to his teachers. None of them could give the young emperor good answers.
His three questions were:
1. When is the most important time?
2. Who is the most important person?
3. What is the most important thing to do?
Therefore the emperor seeks the answer by himself, wandering and experiencing life.
Your guess?
The most important time is now.
The reason is, you only have it once. There are many other inspiring stories which are related to how we should treasure the “present”. By appreciating the things we have or people around us.
Few months ago, when I watched Kung Fu Panda, master Wu Gui (the tortoise) said the same thing. “Yesterday was a history, tomorrow is a mystery but today is a gift, that”s why they call it present”
The most important person is the one we are with.
The monk told his experience meeting with troubled kids. He didn’t do anything special, he just listen to them. Made them have feelings that they are appreciated whoever they are.
He gives the children or any troubled people, cons a total attention. They feel that they are listened, appreciated, more over recognized as human being. Sometimes we just forgot about that don’t we?
And he reminds us that sometimes when we are by ourself, the most important person is ourself.
The most important thing to do is to care.
(Do I need to describe what is “to care”? 😉 )
Hope that story can inspire us, enable us to look things differently.
