Non-violence

A snake in the village had bitten so many people that few dared to go into the fields.

Such was the Master's holiness that he was said to have tamed the snake and persuaded it to practise the discipline of non-violence.

It did not take long for the villagers to discover that the snake had become harmless.

They took to hurling stones at it and dragging it around by the tail.

The badly battered snake crawled into the master's house to complain.

Said the Master, " Friend, you've stopped frightening people. That's bad.!"

"But it was you who taught me to practise the discipline of non violence", answered the snake.

"Friend," sighed the Master, "I told you to stop hurting , not to stop hissing!"