佛教的故事:The Fawn Who Played Hooky

The Fawn Who Played Hooky

　　Once upon a time， there was a herd of forest deer.In this herd was a wise and respected teacher， cunning inthe ways of deer. He taught the tricks and strategies ofsurvival to the young fawns.

　　One day， his younger sister brought her son to him，to be taught what is so important for deer. She said， Ohbrother teacher， this is my son. Please teach him the tricksand strategies of deer. The teacher said to the fawn，Very well， you can come at this time tomorrow for yourfirst lesson.

　　At first， the young deer came to the lessons as hewas supposed to. But soon， he became more interested inplaying with the other young bucks and does. He didntrealize how dangerous it could be for a deer who learnednothing but deer games. So he started cutting classes.Soon he was playing hooky all the time.

　　Unfortunately， one day the fawn who played hookystepped in a snare and was trapped. Since he was missing，his mother worried. She went to her brother the teacher，and asked him， My dear brother， how is my son? Haveyou taught your nephew the tricks and strategies of deer?

　　The teacher replied， My dear sister， your son wasdisobedient and unteachable. Out of respect for you， Itried my best to teach him. But he did not want to learnthe tricks and strategies of deer. He played hooky! Howcould I possibly teach him? You are obedient and faithful，but he is not. It is useless to try to teach him.

　　Later they heard the sad news. The stubborn fawnwho played hooky had been trapped and killed by ahunter. He skinned him and took the meat home to hisfamily.

　　The moral is： Nothing can be learned from a teacher，by one who misses the class.