The wise teacher.

There is life in unexpected places.

I often wonder if I was ever remembered from my time as a teacher. I know that even now in my later years there are some teachers I look back and remember very fondly. I do so because they took the time to show me that I was not as hopeless as I felt. 

At least two of them went that extra mile to help me even after I had long left their spare of influence in a formal sense. 

There is something very special about those who influence the lives of others in a good way. Not all such people are formal teachers but those along the way who took the time to pass on knowledge and learning. 

There was once a wise teacher, known throughout the county.  Students eagerly sought to meet this teacher and learn from his wisdom.

Over the years, one-by-one his students would leave him and go off to do great work in the world.  All, that is, but one.

For this one student, things did not seem to go well. 

He wondered why he wasn’t ready for the world after years under this teacher’s care and instruction. He figured it must be the teacher’s fault. One day, he asked for a special meeting with the wise teacher.

“Teacher,” said Jason, “Why am I not yet ready to go off into the world? 

I listened carefully to everything you have said. I have acquired vast knowledge. Why, then, am I not ready like the other students? It’s just not fair. Some of the students started after me and they are already off on their own, doing great things in the world.”

“Jason,” replied the teacher, “Perhaps I should meet you at your home to discuss this further.  Where do you live?”

Jason gave him his address, but the teacher wanted more.  “Can you please give me directions to your home so I can get there without a map.”

And so, he told her how to find his home, in great detail. 

He explained about the twists and turns in the road, where to watch out for the apple tree with the dead branch just before the road that led to his home. He explained about the flower box just to the left of the door and the herb garden off to the right.

The wise teacher carefully repeated the directions to Jason, not forgetting even a single detail.

“Yes, yes. That’s right!” he said.

“Do I have all the information I need?” the teacher asked.

“Oh yes, you’ll have no trouble at all,” replied Jason.

“Are you sure I haven’t forgotten anything?” the teacher said with a puzzled look on his face.

“No, Sir, that’s everything,” said Jason.

“So, no important last minute hints young man?” asked the teacher with a slight frown.

“No, really.  You have it right,” he said, with an annoyed sigh.

There was a long pause as the wise teacher rubbed his chin.

“Well then,” the teacher said his hand clasped behind his back now.  “Am I at your home?”

“What?” Jason asked, a bit confused.

“Am I not standing with the flower box on my left and the herb garden off to my right?” said the wise teacher with his eyes closed.  “After all, I have all the information I need, right down to the smallest detail.”

There was a long period of silence.

Bowing his head Jason finally looked up at his wise teacher, the lesson finally dawning on him.  

“Oh Teacher,” said the student humbly, “It is not just information and details that I must remember.  

I must learn to take action. It is in the doing that takes us where we need to go.”

In other words, "Knowing everything is one thing but putting it into action is another."

Have a peaceful day.