Wei, known for crafting curious digital contraptions, approached Master Ryo while the master was feeding the monastery’s koi.

“Master, I have built seventeen projects this year. Each one more ingenious than the last - a system for predicting shooting stars, a tool for naming pet crickets, even an app that translates cat whisker movements into poetry. Yet none bring rice to my bowl.”

Master Ryo continued feeding the koi in silence.

Wei persisted, “Meanwhile, others grow wealthy from simple tools that seem hardly worth building.”

Without warning, Master Ryo seized Wei by his robes and plunged his head into the koi pond. Wei thrashed as seconds passed. Just before his lungs would burst, the master pulled him up.

“What did you desire most under the water?” Master Ryo asked.

“Air! Only air, Master!”

“Not a system for measuring the fish’s happiness?”

At that moment, Wei was enlightened.

–

The following spring, Wei was seen in the marketplace selling simple tools to merchants. When asked about his previous creations, he would only smile and say, “Some dreams are best left underwater.”

Ryo’s Haiku: #

Drowning man cares not For the pattern of ripples Above his own head