Is there really "Always The Moon"?
Well, according to science, yes.
Actually... hell, I don't know what science says about the moon. But according to Zen Buddhist Literature, there is always the moon.
You see, like any good elementary school teacher, I love (let me emphasize that for you) LOVE children's literature.
A few years ago I was introduced to the story Zen Shorts by Jon J. Muth. This story is about a panda bear, Stillwater, who befriends a few young kids and teaches them great lessons in the form of stories. One of the stories happens to be Uncle Ry and the Moon. The story is about Stillwater's uncle who returns home one evening to find a robber in his house. Not wanting the robber to leave empty handed, and having nothing to give, he gives the robber his only tattered robe. After the robber leaves, Uncle Ry sits, staring up at the beautiful moon and says, "poor visitor, all I had to give him was my tattered robe, I wish I could have given him this wonderful moon."
Well, according to science, yes.
Actually... hell, I don't know what science says about the moon. But according to Zen Buddhist Literature, there is always the moon.
You see, like any good elementary school teacher, I love (let me emphasize that for you) LOVE children's literature.
A few years ago I was introduced to the story Zen Shorts by Jon J. Muth. This story is about a panda bear, Stillwater, who befriends a few young kids and teaches them great lessons in the form of stories. One of the stories happens to be Uncle Ry and the Moon. The story is about Stillwater's uncle who returns home one evening to find a robber in his house. Not wanting the robber to leave empty handed, and having nothing to give, he gives the robber his only tattered robe. After the robber leaves, Uncle Ry sits, staring up at the beautiful moon and says, "poor visitor, all I had to give him was my tattered robe, I wish I could have given him this wonderful moon."
After the short story, Stillwater discusses the story with one of his young kid friends. She claims, "I don't think I could have given away my only robe." and Stillwater replies, "I know how that is, but there is always the moon."
This story has always struck home with me. It reminds me that even when we have nothing left to give, physically and emotionally, we can always give the moon--which is certainly something different for all of us.
Although I am still in the very early stages of teaching (I haven't even student taught yet!) I try to remember that it is my job to give and to give everything I have for these kids.
This blog is simply about me and my journey.
This story has always struck home with me. It reminds me that even when we have nothing left to give, physically and emotionally, we can always give the moon--which is certainly something different for all of us.
Although I am still in the very early stages of teaching (I haven't even student taught yet!) I try to remember that it is my job to give and to give everything I have for these kids.
This blog is simply about me and my journey.
