There was a samurai who had a rat in his house and
could not get rid of it. He acquired a superb cat, stalwart and robust. But the
rat was quicker and simply made a fool of it. Then the samurai got another cat,
more cunning and astute. But the rat was on his guard and hid except when the
cat was asleep. Then a Zen monk from a nearby temple lent the samurai his own
cat, the most ordinary-looking cat you could imagine, that spent all its time
drowsing and napping and paid no attention to anything around it. The samurai
shrugged and said the cat was no good, but the monk insist he keep it. So the
cat stayed and slept and slept, and soon the rat grew bold again and began
trotting forth right in front of the cat, which showed absolutely no interest in
it. Then one day, with one swipe of its paw, it caught the rat and pinned it
down. Strength of body and technical skill are nothing, without vigilance of
mind!
(Taisen Deshimaru)
(Taisen Deshimaru)
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