Notice the Leaves
Gray Wolf seemed to attend meetings against her better judgement. One evening she came by anyway and said, ” In every service I renew my vow to save the many beings, but, really, how can I do that?”
Raven said, “It’s your precious keepsake.”
Mallard asked, “How can a vow be a keepsake?”
Raven said, “It reminds you of a loved one.”
Gray Wolf sat back and said nothing further.
Owl spoke up and said, “We also vow to waken to the countless gates of the Great Law. I always thought that vow meant I should study all the various Buddhist teachings, but now I am not so sure.”
Raven said, “See all the new green leaves glittering in the sunshine!”
— Zen Master Raven by Robert Aitken