FALSE ACCUSATION
A Teaching Story – IS THAT SO
Retold By
VIKRAM KARVE
What
do you do when someone levels false accusations at you and wrongly accuses you
of something you haven’t done?
It is
simple. You calmly say: “IS THAT SO?”
Is That So?
A Zen Story
The Zen master
Hakuin was praised by his neighbours as one living a pure life.
A beautiful
girl whose parents owned a food store lived near Hakuin’s house.
Suddenly, her
parents discovered that the beautiful girl was pregnant.
Her angry
parents demanded to know who the father of the baby was.
At first the
beautiful girl refused to confess, but after great threats and coercion the
anxious and embarrassed girl finally pointed to Hakuin, the Zen Master, whom
everyone previously revered for living such a pure life.
When the
outraged parents confronted Hakuin with their daughter’s accusation, the Zen
Master Hakuin simply replied in a very calm tone: “Is that so?”
Hakuin was
ostracized from society and treated like a pariah by the whole village for
committing this grave sin.
When the child
was born, the parents brought the baby to the Hakuin. They demanded that he
take care of the child since it was his responsibility.
“Is that so?” an
unperturbed Hakuin said calmly and he accepted the child with a smile.
By this time Hakuin
had lost his reputation, which did not trouble him, but he took very good care
of the child. He obtained milk from his neighbours, cared and tended to the
baby and showered profuse love on the baby as if it were his very own child.
One year later
the girl who had given birth to the baby could stand it no longer. She told her
parents the truth – that the real father of the child was a young man who lived
in the neighbourhood, her clandestine lover who she was trying to protect, and
she confessed that she had wrongly accused Hakuin.
The contrite parents
immediately went to Hakuin and apologised profusely. They explained what had
happened and begged his forgiveness.
“Is that so?”
said Hakuin after hearing the true story.
Seeing how
lovingly Hakuin had brought up the baby, very hesitantly, they requested if he
could return the child back.
Hakuin smilingly
handed over the child, and while doing so, all he said was: “Is that so?”
VIKRAM KARVE
Copyright © Vikram Karve 2012
Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.
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About Vikram Karve
A creative person with a zest for life, Vikram Karve is a retired Naval Officer turned full time writer. Educated at IIT Delhi, ITBHU Varanasi, The Lawrence School Lovedale and Bishops School Pune, Vikram has published two books: COCKTAIL a collection of fiction short stories about relationships (2011) and APPETITE FOR A STROLL a book of Foodie Adventures (2008) and is currently working on his novel and a book of vignettes and short fiction. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories, creative non-fiction articles on a variety of topics including food, travel, philosophy, academics, technology, management, health, pet parenting, teaching stories and self help in magazines and published a large number of professional research papers in journals and edited in-house journals for many years, before the advent of blogging. Vikram has taught at a University as a Professor for almost 15 years and now teaches as a visiting faculty and devotes most of his time to creative writing. Vikram lives in Pune India with his family and muse - his pet dog Sherry with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts.
Vikram Karve Academic and Creative Writing Journal: http://karvediat.blogspot.com
Professional Profile Vikram Karve: http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve
Vikram Karve Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/vikramkarve
Vikram Karve Creative Writing Blog: http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com/blog/posts.htm
Email: vikramkarve@sify.com
AMAZON
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005MGERZ6
SMASHWORDS
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/87925
Foodie Book: Appetite for a Stroll
If your are a Foodie you will like my book of Food Adventures APPETITE FOR A STROLL. Do order a copy from FLIPKART:
http://www.flipkart.com/appetite-stroll-vikram-karve/8190690094-gw23f9
About Vikram Karve
A creative person with a zest for life, Vikram Karve is a retired Naval Officer turned full time writer. Educated at IIT Delhi, ITBHU Varanasi, The Lawrence School Lovedale and Bishops School Pune, Vikram has published two books: COCKTAIL a collection of fiction short stories about relationships (2011) and APPETITE FOR A STROLL a book of Foodie Adventures (2008) and is currently working on his novel and a book of vignettes and short fiction. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories, creative non-fiction articles on a variety of topics including food, travel, philosophy, academics, technology, management, health, pet parenting, teaching stories and self help in magazines and published a large number of professional research papers in journals and edited in-house journals for many years, before the advent of blogging. Vikram has taught at a University as a Professor for almost 15 years and now teaches as a visiting faculty and devotes most of his time to creative writing. Vikram lives in Pune India with his family and muse - his pet dog Sherry with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts.
Vikram Karve Academic and Creative Writing Journal: http://karvediat.blogspot.com
Professional Profile Vikram Karve: http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve
Vikram Karve Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/vikramkarve
Vikram Karve Creative Writing Blog: http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com/blog/posts.htm
Email: vikramkarve@sify.com
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.
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