A student was walking around the countryside when he saw the master sitting by a river. To his shock, the master was holding a fishing pole with a line in the water. The student approached and said “Good morning master.” The master replied, “Yes, it is a beautiful morning!” The student somewhat perturbed by the master holding a fishing pole said “Master, you have told us to save all sentient beings, yet here you are fishing.” “And this disappoints you?” replied the master. “Well, yes master” said the student growing indignant. The master picked up his cane pole and pulled the line out of the water. There was no bait, no hook; just a pair of tabi socks tied to the line. “I was walking over by the riverside and stepped in some mud and got my socks muddy. I found this old fishing pole laying by the bank so I thought I would tie my socks to the line and rinse them off in the current” said the master. “What dear student, did you think I was doing?“ The student, embarrassed, apologized to the master. “Remember, when you perceive something, ask yourself Am I sure?” instructed the master. “Often, what we see is not what it is.”
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