Ice on the Pond

A Flash-Fiction in the form of a fact-finding moment in the life of Master Chin.

In a small village, high in the hilly region of Japan lived Master Chin.

Master Chin was the region's teacher of all things needed, and for a life more in tune with the world that surrounded them.

One morning after art class was completed, Master Chin lead his students on a fact-finding mission: a two-mile walk around the neighboring landscape.

And during this walk, Master Chin stopped near a large pond to take in the view.

“What do you see?” Master Chin asked as he looked out across the pond and the snowy grounds that surrounded it.

One student stated, “A frozen pond, Master.”

And another student stated, “The pond does not look completely frozen, Master. Possibly it is just a thin layer of ice that covers it.”

Well, it wasn't long before there was much discussion about it. Was the pond frozen solid, or not?

Finally, some students asked the Master. “Is the pond frozen solid?”

Master Chin looked on for a very long time before replying. Then he stated, “It is not suitable for walking on.”

With that said, a younger student named Tu scurried down to the pond's edge and then he walked out onto the surface; the other students all made sounds of surprise.

First, Tu slowly walked to this spot, then he slowly walk to another spot, and when he walked to the third spot the ice cracked. Tu was suddenly standing in icy water, up to his knees.

Everyone, except for the Master, laughed.

After Tu dried off, Master Chin asked student Tu why he went into the ice.

To which Tu replied, “To test the strength of the ice.”

Instantly, many of the students laughed, and some stated, “Master Chin told us that the pond was not suitable for walking on. You are a fool!

Master Chin admonished the boisterous outcry by saying, “You students took my words as law, not as fact. But had student Tu not gone out onto the ice, then you would have never known if my observation about the ice was true, and a fact."

JE Falcon

03-08-2022

Reviews

[M. J. Smith]

Think for yourself, right? Take nothing at face value. First lesson every wise drifter learns. Last most others learn, to their detriment. And the one thing some never learn. Wise words from a wise bird. And you're not even an owl! :)

[JE Falcon]

Thanks, M.J., --- As far as not being an owl, my wife tells me that I can be quite Owly at times. ("Since the mid-19th century, “owly” has been a colloquial term meaning “cranky, cross, angry or fretful.” It’s considered a regional usage, found largely in eastern Canada and the Upper Midwest of the US." :)

[M. J. Smith]

Igrew up believing some could be " as wise as an owl." Anywho, you're most welcome, my friend.

[JE Falcon]

Yeh, as wise as an Owl for me too. I was told the other meaning by my wife, she's from Massachusetts

[poetgurl]

This is a wonderful write, very entertaining I must say. I enjoyed this

[JE Falcon]

Somewriter's do, :) and I'm happy you were one.

[Coyote Poetry]

A very entertaining story my friend. Good to test the water. May teach us to swim or watch? Thank you my friend for sharing the outstanding tale.
Coyote

[JE Falcon]

Just passing on the teaching, but thanks for the reply.

[Coyote Poetry]

Hello my friend and you are welcome.