My Master & The Innocent Child

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One day, my Master found a nice spot at the top of a hill to meditate. At the tip of the hill was a large tree that provided him shade from the heat of the sun. As he sat down, he saw in the distant, a little village with no more than a hundred people.

Suddenly, from the bliss of his meditation, he was interrupted by a commotion happening in the village. He opened his eyes and saw a young boy, no taller than my Master's waist, running frantically up the hill. A distance behind him where other villagers, shouting and running after him.

When the boy finally reached the top of the hill, he looked at my Master in fear, out of breath and cried,

"Master. I've been accused of stealing, but trust me when I say I'm innocent. In my village, those who steal will have their hands cut off. I don't want that to happen. I need my hands to survive."

"Please Master, allow me to hide in this tree and don't tell the villagers about it. Please, I begged you."

My Master, blessed with years of wisdom and foresight, saw truth in the child. Indeed the but was telling the truth, and wasn't guilty of the crime.

The child, still in fright and desperation, took my Master's silence for consent, and quickly climbed up the tree.

My Master, knowing that he has taken an oath to not lie, was aware that he will have to tell the truth should the villagers interrogate him. And yet, with his ability to look into the future, he knew by doing so, the boy will live a painful life, handicapped, for a crime he did not commit.

Wise as he is, as he noticed the villagers making the dash up the hill, my Master stood up. He closed his eyes, and calmness was once again over his face.

Shortly, the villagers gathered around the holy man, shouting for answers to the boy's whereabouts.

"Tell us, Holy Man. Have you seen a boy running through here? He has stolen from the chief and he must be punished."

My Master smiled and said,

"As long as I have been standing here, I did not see any boy."

Satisfied with his answer, the villagers left. The boy eventually came down and escaped in another direction, while my Master sat down and continued his meditation.