A man traveling across a field encountered a tiger. He fled, the tiger chasing after him. Coming to a precipice, he caught hold of the root of a wild vine and swung himself over the edge. The tiger sniffed at him from above. Trembling, the man looked down to where, far below, another tiger was waiting to eat him. Only the vine sustained him. Two mice, one white and one black, little by little started to gnaw away at the vine. The man saw a luscious strawberry near him. Grasping the vine with one hand, he plucked the strawberry with the other. How sweet it tasted!
True wisdom lies in the ability to experience the beauty of the present moment, even when surrounded by the inevitable dangers of life and death.
Questions about this story
What is the moral of The Strawberry?
The moral is to focus on the present moment and find joy in small things, despite the inevitable presence of death and the passage of time. It teaches that worrying about the past or future shouldn't steal the sweetness of 'now'.
What do the black and white mice represent in the Zen story?
The black and white mice symbolize day and night, or the relentless passage of time that slowly consumes our lifespan. Just as the mice gnaw the vine, time eventually brings everyone closer to the end.
What do the two tigers symbolize?
The tigers represent the inescapable realities of birth and death. The tiger above is the past or the threat we flee, while the tiger below is the inevitable end that awaits all living beings.
Why did the man eat the strawberry if he was in danger?
The man ate the strawberry because he realized that his current situation was unchangeable. By choosing to enjoy the fruit, he practiced Zen mindfulness, refusing to let fear of the future ruin his final sensory experience.
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Good night.
