Once upon a time,
there was a teacher who meditated much and developed his mind. Gradually
his fame spread. Those who wished to be guided by a wise man came
to hear him. Considering what he said to be wise indeed, 500 decided
to become his followers.
One of these 500,
who considered his teachings to be wise, was a certain pet lover.
In fact, he loved pets so much that there was no animal he did not
wish to keep as a pet.
One day he came
upon a cute little poisonous snake, who was searching for food. He
decided he would make an excellent pet. So he made a little bamboo
cage to keep him in when he had to leave him alone. The other followers
called the little snake, 'Bamboo'. Because he was so fond of his pet,
they called the pet lover, 'Bamboo's Father'.
Before long, the
teacher heard that one of his followers was keeping a poisonous snake
as a pet. He called him to him and asked if this was true. Bamboo's
Father said, "Yes master, I love him like my own child!"
The wise teacher
said, "It is not safe to live with a poisonous snake. Therefore,
I advise you to let him go, for your own good."
But Bamboo's Father
thought he knew better. He replied, "This little one is my son.
He wouldn't bite me. I can't give him up and live all alone!"
.
The teacher warned
him, "Then surely, this little one will be the death of you!"
But the follower did not heed his master's warning.
Later on, all
500 of the teacher's followers went on a trip to collect fresh fruits.
Bamboo's Father left his 'son' locked up in the bamboo cage.
Since there were
many fruits to collect, it was several days before they returned.
Bamboo's Father realized that poor Bamboo had not eaten the whole
time he was away. So he opened the cage to let him out to find food.
But when he reached
inside, his 'son' bit his hand. Having been neglected for all that
time, Bamboo was angry as well as hungry. Since he was only a snake,
he didn't know anything about poison!
But his 'father'
should have known better. After all, he had been warned by the very
teacher he himself considered wise.
Within minutes
of being bitten, Bamboo's Father dropped dead!
Moral: There's no benefit in following a teacher, if you don't
listen to what he says.
(From: Buddhist Tales for Young and Old)
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