Tai Wai was a timid, humble boy. He often ran from trouble and kept to himself. He was stoic, reserved, yet there was a subtlety of hidden character. Many in the village thought of him as slow and challenged mentally. Appearances are often deceptive. His quietness was not a mask by intention. It was his way. He smiled pleasantly, held the elderly hand and offered help when needed. Never did he ask for anything in return.

The village master searched for a student to carry on his teachings. All knew him as the wisest of wise, the strongest of strong, and the best of the best. He was now old and tiring. Who would follow his path, seek his truth, and continue the way? All the village youth were enamored with the honor of being the chosen one.

On the day of the testing to choose, the master devised a simple task. He instructed all the eager applicants to demonstrate their strength. Many performed acts of physical endurance and various martial skills. Boards and bricks were broken with bare hand. Some lifted heavy objects and threw great rocks quite a distance. The master, like many others was impressed with the selection of the village’s best young men. The next test was one of intelligence and each student was given a parable. All did well and understood the hidden meaning. So now all were the same. They were smart and amazingly strong. Surprising to many but so was Tai Wai. The underdog was impressive in his quiet way.

The master pondered like many in the village and each student waited patiently for an answer to whom would be the chosen one.

The master asked each to come to him and with one gesture without speaking to demonstrate their willingness, ability and dedication to his way.

Tai Wai was the last to emerge. He walked to the master, sat in front of him and smiled. The villagers laughed. Tai Wai just sat still, never moving. Within a few moments no one seemed to know what was happening. Then suddenly from nowhere a bird perched next to him just as still and quiet.

For the longest time the bird just sat with him as if they were friends. And the master then spoke,

“All of you today have demonstrated amazing feats of strength and intelligence beyond your age. You all have hands of stone, bodies of steel, and the will of giants. But all these things are easy to obtain. All you have to do is work hard and endure tremendous pain. Pain does not hurt, for it is only temporary. The mind can ignore pain. Strength is relative. Intelligence is developed through study. Today, this day, this young man has shown me what I wish to see. He has shown all of you what you need to see.”

The villagers were perplexed. All he did was sit down and a bird flew to him. What was the grandiose demonstration that was misunderstood? Ridicule emerged and the masses joined in their discontent. The master became the focus of the crowd’s anger and frustration. How could he accept the slow one, the challenged one, the quiet one who never spoke?

Tai Wai’s training began the next day and he and the master began by walking through the village. During their conversation the master questioned Tai Wai regarding many issues and problems. The master was impressed. He then proposed the question, “Tai Wai, why did the bird come to you?”

Tai Wai thought for a long time but could not answer. The master than asked, “Tai Wai, why are you here?”

Tai Wai immediately blurted, “To learn how to be like you master. You are the best fighter, the smartest man, and the strongest man. You are the greatest man in the village.”

The master smiled. He chose his words wisely but felt that his young pupil needed some immediate guidance. Like many in the village there was a perception that was not based in fact or reality. It was what seemed to be as opposed to what really was.

It is the wise man who recognizes what is instead of what he would like things to be. It is the wise man who accepts the truth and seeks truth in everything he does. Truth guides us and is food for the soul. Perception is an illusion that is a curse of irrational thought. Tai Wai perceived the master and wanted to be like him. The master surely had admirable abilities and qualities. The master was who he was because of his selection of the truth. Tai Wai had a lot to learn! Many of us do.

“Tai Wai you are a smart and strong young man. You have hands of stone and a body of steel. You will be strong, a great fighter, and intelligent man. However, my young student, the purpose of stone hands, a strong mind, and a steel body is to protect a gentle heart. No one can teach you the gentleness of the heart. Let your heart be gentle and still, without turmoil or hate. An angry man is a blind man. He is deaf to the world. The bird came to you because of your gentleness of heart. That is the greatest strength of all. It is the heart that gives blood, provides life and pumps that life throughout the body. It is the heart that breaks when we are hurt by a lost love. It is the heart that feels good, happy, or sad when things go well or turn traumatic. The heart is our emotional guide. The heart is a constant. Some have a good heart like you. Others have an evil heart like many in the village. Many others do not ever really feel their own much less that of another. Many do not know the true meaning of a gentle heart. Find the truth in yourself and be you. Find the gentleness of your heart. That will be your truth.”

With that statement the day’s first lesson was ending and Tai Wai returned home. As he walked through the village he caught the steaming stares of jealousy, hate and disregard. Tai Wai knew of his own simplistic view of the world and of others. His parents had always been the same. It was there way that guided him. It was their way however that caused their own demise. No matter, for him everyone was good. That is what he was taught. He knew no other way. Was he different? What was it about his perception of the world that “blinded” him to the reality. Perhaps his blindness was just a perception. Often what is seen is not what really is. Occasionally there is much more than is visible to the eye. It is best to see with the heart and feel with the soul.

So Tai Wai returned to his humble home and entered the doorway to be greeted by his younger brother. His brother came to him, blind, crippled and struggling to breathe. Disease and destruction ravaged his body from birth. Tai Wai was tired and hungry. He was afraid of the developments of what was to come with the master. He was still confused over the master’s statements and he pondered his tasks ahead. His brother sat by his side and gently reached out to hold his older brother’s hand. There were no parents, no help, no one else to be for them. Tai Wai was father, brother, and friend. He was for him, his brother. They ate and laughed and felt the moon glowing through the slotted wall. On this night Tai Wai needed guidance, help and strength. The undertaking ahead was going to be difficult. His brother sat once again as they prepared for bed. In a nightly ritual his brother held his hand. He felt Tai Wai and smiled. They were connected. Tai Wai looked at his brother with appreciation and love. His brother sat quietly and humbly but poised to speak.

He said politely, “I will help you brother.”

Tai Wai closed his eyes and gave his brother a hug. Tai Wai looked at him and said, “You, my brother, have a gentle heart.”

“Few are those who see with their own eyes and feel with their own hearts.”

-Albert Einstein