Short Story: The Monotony of Daily Life

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Fugueh Gotimo, was a Japanese Zen master of the 13th century. He used to walk the same path to his market store, each and every day, where he would work until late, and then walk home, once again. Day after day, 6 days a week, for years and years, he carried out this daily ritual. He had a friend, who would walk with him, and so help him in his small store, during the day. For the friend, these journey's were so boring, and monotonous, and repetitive for him, that each day on the journey, he would just talk. He talked, and talked, about anything, and everything, often repeating himself from day to day, and without even really realising this. He was trying to break the monotony of the long walk, with the monotony of talking. But, he hadn't realised that this was in fact what he was doing. So, Fugueh used to walk silently, while his friend would always talk the whole journey, about one thing, or another. Then, one day, after many years of this continuing friendship, Fugueh asked Gilme a question. He simply said to Gilme, his friend of many long years association now. "What were you talking to me about last week, my friend? Gilme, of course, could not remember, as he always just talked for talking's sake, and so he never much remembered anything he had said during these daily walks to the market. Each walk took at least one hour in the morning, and another hour coming home at night. Fugueh said to Gilme: "Well, it is usually good to remember what you say, as what you say is never unimportant." The rest of the walk, Gilme was silent. And, the next day as well, and the next, until the end of the week. On the last day of the week, while walking home again together, Fugueh spoke once again, and said to Gilme something like this: "Speaking should be only given to one who listens, if the one that listens can also speak." And then the next week, Gilme who had thought over these comments all weekend, said to Fugueh. "Well said. I'm a talker, but your a philosopher, your a listener and I'm just a speaker. Is that what you meant to tell me? I will not talk idly to you ever again, my friend, for you have taught me a great lesson." Fugueh just smiled, and replied: "But to speak is never wrong my friend. It is the words that are important, and you must watch your words, so that they will watch you." Gilme liked the way that Fugueh put his wisdom into seemingly paradoxical, and meaningless statements. Photo Credit: The photo used in this article was sourced from the free media site, pixabay.com Put meaning into your words, and your words will never be meaningless.