the master, the disciple and the fruit

 

In and out. Days were spent in the deepest silence. Some spent their time weaving, others swirled harmoniously with the universe, many meditated for hours and hours, others prayed attentively. Each gesture bloomed from the intent to keep the thought following the rhythm of the feet, to connect sky and earth, body and spirit. So was the daily routine of those in search of understanding truth. 

 

One night, one of the disciples inquired:

 

“The master is always talking in riddles, in parables, and never explain the meaning of the stories…”

 

After a moment of silence the master asked:

 

“Would you like a peach?” 

 

­­­­The disciple shook his head affirmatively.

 

The master picked a peach and with fruit in his hand he asked the disciple:

 

“Would you like me to peal it for you too?”

 

“Oh, thank you master”, said the disciple surprised.

 

The master pealed it and then he asked:

 

“And would you like me to divide the sections for you?”

 

“Oh, thank you master, thank you…”, said the disciple in doubt.

 

The master divided the peach in sections and then he asked once more:

 

“And would you like me to chew it for you?”

 

“Oh, master, thank you but I think I prefer to chew myself...”, said the disciple embarrassed. 

 

Handling the peach to his disciple the master said:

 

“Explaining the stories is like offering chewed peaches.”

 

From that moment, whenever the night falls, when silence is broken by the master´s voice, the disciple savors each word and allows the honey of the stories to gradually awaken his senses. 

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***

 

Sufi tale. 

From uma história e uma história e uma história - contos dos contos da tradição oral, by Ana Gibson and Juliana Franklin.