My father used to tell a story about three monks that visit the Vatican. All go from Ireland to visit the Holy City. And each has an audience with the Pope.
The first comes from a rich monastery and he says he has a year to take in Rome and the sights. The Pope blesses him and says:
‘You will see some of Rome.’
Then, it is the second monk’s turn. He comes from a more modest monastery. He can only stay a month.
The Pope blesses him and says:
“You will see a lot of Rome.”
The third monk is next.
He is from a poor monastery. He can only stay a week.
The Pope blesses him and says:
“You will come to know Rome.”
It may take a long time to begin to understand the nature of a bamboo tree. But it is the spirit of the third monk in the story – that is the domain one must inhabit to learn to know things.
© Copyright 2021 Nathan Curry