A Fable Of Two Monks On Anger&Resentment

 Let me tell you a little story on anger and resentment.

There were two monks walking in a deep forest from one village to another in a remote area.

One monk was an elderly person and another much younger.

They were walking for days in the forest, and as night comes, they take a break near the edge of the stream.

The elder monk sits and goes in deep meditation,while the younger monk clea the area and prepares a simple meal for both.

These were going on for days, and the younger monk kept the older monk in the highest esteem.

One day, they came to a shallow river, which needed to crossover to  their destination.

Due to heavy rain, the riverbank was flowing rapidly.

At the edge of riverbank, there was a young lady standing worriedly pondering how to cross over the river.

At that time the two monks reached near the lady and ready to cross over.The lady asked the younger monk.Is it possible for him to carry her across the river? 

As she is worried, the current may wash her  down the stream.The younger monk  in perplex and upset, told the lady.

He can't carry her ,as he is a monk, and he can't touch any ladies, which is against his religious practice.He went across the river without turning back.

When the older monk came to the riverbank and saw the dilemma of the lady.He carried her on his back and left her at the other side of the riverbank.

She thanked him profusely for the help and went in seek of medicine herb for a seek child.

Seeing the act of  older monk by the younger.He was deeply angry and disappointed with the older monk for the carryingthe lady on his back.

So after crossing the river, they decided to stop for the night. As usual the older monk sat to meditate and the younger to went to prepare the night meal.There was lots of cacerolazo while he was preparing the meal.

The second day, the elder monk noticed the indifference the younger monk showed to him while walking and very dissatisfied facial expression.

On the third day, as they settled for the night.The younger monk refused to prepare the meal for the older monk because of the act of helping the lady and breaking the vow of celibacy.

This time around, the younger monk decided to confront the older monk about the act of kindness to the lady.

So he sat next to the meditating old monk and said I needed to clear something with you.As that been troubling me for the past three days.

So, the senior monk came out of meditation and asked the younger monk , "What is it?"

For which the younger monk said 3 days back how could you carry the lady across the riverbank when we can not touch any lady as a monk!

For which the senior monk saw deep into his eyes told him. So the past three days of unhappiness was because of that.

Thus said the older monk what I did is an act of kindness for distress lady who unable to cross the river.I left that lady once I crossed the river.

However, you have been carrying her for the past three days and troubled by it.

Let go and move on as  anger and resentment do more harm to an individual rather than the act.