(an old koan)

a traveller once took a long journey.

in a forest on the way, a tiger emerges from the trees.
the traveller flees the path.
the tiger pursues.

running fast through the underbrush,
the traveller comes to a precipice.
the tiger is right behind.
there is no turning back.

so the traveller grabs a wild vine
and swings quickly over the edge.

‍feet dangling into air, it is a fall to death.
claws reach from above.

just then, two mice appear.
one black. one white.
they start to gnaw at the vine.

the traveller looks around.
a ripe strawberry grows on the cliff face.

‍stretching,
the traveller plucks the wild fruit and eats it.

oh, how sweet.