The Successor

As the Holy Master, the Guru

Grew old, unwell and weak

He thought it wise and right

 A successor of him to seek

              

Many disciples hankered

For the honorable chair

And pulled all others down

As they climbed the stair

But the Master wished, him

The wisest one to succeed

The ablest and holiest one

His beloved ashram to lead

At the end on two disciples

His long discernment drew                    

Yet he could not conclude

Who was better of the two

He thought of a little test

The right conclusion to find

But kept it openly obvious

While he kept it in his mind

“As I near my end,” said he

“I wish a bird’s meat to taste

So to the forest far and deep

You both must make haste.”

“Hunt a bird soon as you can

And bring it to cook or fry

Only take care when you kill                  

 Must act unseen by an eye.”

One of the two was super smart

Made the kill soon and sure

 Returned home glad thinking,

The Master’s heir he was pure!

The other found birds many

But couldn’t make himself kill

That no eye watched him act

On this he wasn’t sure and still

 He said in sorrow to his master,

“From God’s eye I couldn’t hide

So empty handed I’ve returned

The punishment you can decide.”

Next day, the Guru pronounced

The empty handed one his heir

Before the King, people and all

He was honored on the holy chair.

Xavier Bage

Tues, March 22, 2016