I'm glad to know that at least a few people who've read my blog appreciated the short stories I posted a few days ago.

Of course, the stories weren't created by me originally. I just copied them from buddhist books or websites.

Speaking of which, my past 2 months of vacation kept up a tradition that I had started since a time I forgotten about. Whenever I have school holidays, my cabinet gain a few new members, of course, I'm refering to books!

After some deliberation, I finally decided to buy the flight series of comics (http://www.flightcomics.com/) and with a little help from Kazu. I ordered Flight 1 and 2 for about $80. I seldom read comics actually, but flight is not like the usual comic... Check out their site to find out more for yourself!

At the same time, Melissa bought me 3 books at her own expense, all buddhist related! Think she must have spent quite some money!

And here I have one more short story copied blatently from one of the books.. .. ..

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The Mexican fisherman

In a quiet Mexican fishing village, an American on vacation was watching a local fisherman unload his morning catch. The American, a successful professor at a prestigious US business school, couldn't resist giving the Mexican fisherman a little bit of free advice.

'Hey!" began the American, 'Why are you finishing so early?'

'Since I have caught enough fish, Senor,' replied the genial Mexican, 'enough to feed my family and a little extra to sell. Now I will take some lunch with my wife and, after a little siesta in the afternoon, I will play with my children. Then, after dinner, I will go to the cantina, drink a little tequila and play some guitar with my friends. It is enough for me, Senor.

'Listen to me, my friend.' said the business professor. 'If you stay out at sea until late afternoon, you will easily catch twice as many fish. You will sell the extra, save up the money, and in six months, maybe nine, you'll be able to buy a bigger and better boat and hire some crew. Then you'll be able to catch four times as many fish. Think of the extra money you will make! In another year of two, you will have the capital to buy a second fishing boat and hire another crew. If you follow this business plan, in six or seven years you will be the proud owner of a large fishing fleet. Just imagine that! Then you should move your head office to Mexico City, or even LA. After only three or four years in LA, you float your company on the stockmarket giving yourself, as CEO, aqa generous salary package with substantial share options. In a few more years - listen to this! - you initiate a company share buy back scheme, which will make you a muli-millionaire! Guaranteed! I'm a well known professor at a US business school. I know these things.'

The Mexican fisherman listened thoughtfully at what the animated American had to say. When the professor had finished, the Mexican asked him, 'But, Senor Professor, what do I do with so many millions of dollars?'

Suprisingly, the American professor hadn't thought the plan through that far. So he quickly figured out what a person would do with millions of dollars.

'Amigo! With all that dough, you can retire. Yeah! Retire for life. You can buy a little villa in a picturesque fishing village like this one, and purchase a small boat for going fishing in the morning. You can have lunch with your wife everyday and a siesta afterwards with nothing to worry you. In the afternoon you can spend quality time with your kids and, after dinner in the evening, play guitar with your friends in the cantina, drinking tequila. Yeah, with all that money, my friend, you can retire and take it easy.'

'But, Senor Professor, I do all that already.'

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Why do we believe that we have to work so hard and get rich first, before we can find contentment?

Two short stories

Once upon a time, a boy dreamt that he was a beautiful butterfly, fluttering happily among the spring flowers as a butterfly. He was conscious only of his happiness as a butterfly, unaware that he was a boy. Suddenly he awakened, and there he was, just a boy. Now he does not know whether the butterfly is a dream of the boy, or whether the boy is a dream of the butterfly.

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Once upon a time, a large, rough samurai once went to see a small, gentle monk, hoping to acquire the secrets of life.

"Monk," he said, in a voice accustomed to total obedience. "Teach me about heaven and hell."

The little monk looked up at the mighty warrior in silence.

Then, after a moment, he said to the samurai with disdain, "Teach YOU about heaven and hell? I couldn't teach you about anything. You're dirty. You smell. Your blade is rusty. You're a disgrace, an embarrassment to the samurai class. Get out of my sight at once. I can't stand you!"

The samurai was furious. He began to shake from anger. A red flush spread over his face; he was speechless with rage. Quickly, he pulled out his sword and raised it above his head, preparing to kill the monk.

"That's hell," said the little monk.

The samurai was overwhelmed. Stunned. What compassion and surrender of this small man who had offered his life to give this teaching about hell!

He slowly lowered his sword, filled with gratitude, and for reasons he could not explain his heart became suddenly peaceful, appreciative, and loving.

"And that's heaven," said the monk.