A Zen monk saw a beautiful goose fly by and he wanted to share this joy with his elder brother who was walking beside him. But at that moment, the other monk had bent down to remove a pebble from his sandel. By the time he looked up, the goose had already flown by. He asked, “What did you want me to see?” but the younger monk could only remain silent.

As the two monks continued their walk, the younger monk pondered the fleeting nature of beauty and the missed opportunity to share that moment with his elder brother. He was struck by the realisation that some experiences are meant to be savoured in solitude, each person’s encounter with beauty being a deeply personal and individual journey. The elder monk, on the other hand, reflected on the importance of being fully present in each moment, understanding that distractions can cause us to miss precious opportunities for connection and shared experiences.

This simple encounter with the passing goose carried profound lessons for both monks, reminding them of the delicate balance between communing with the world around them and being rooted in the present moment. It served as a gentle nudge to cherish the beauty of nature, to embrace moments of joy, and to cultivate a deeper awareness of the world and the people around them.

The story of the beautiful goose became a quiet yet poignant lesson on mindfulness, connection, and the art of cherishing fleeting moments that can enrich our lives in unexpected ways.