‘Just as it is,’ said the guide to the traveller.
‘This is it,’ he said, ‘and every time you stumble over that same old rock,
you will ask, “why? didn’t I see it?” and you didn’t but now you do,
and the rock hurt your shins, leaving you with a reminder of its existence.’
‘So life is what is here, right in front of my eyes,’ said the traveller,
‘and if I choose to look at it I might see that rock that trips me up,
and I might live without perpetually sore shins.’
‘But this is hard work,’ said the guide. ‘Do not be fooled into thinking
there’s an easy way. The path is strewn with boulders, roots, crevices
and unexpected rock falls and how you react is your training,
and forgiveness is the answer,
and knowing that life
is
just as it is.’