untitled, by unknown author

Once there was a man on a long journey

who came to a river.

He said to himself:

"This side of the river is very difficult

and dangerous to walk on,

and the other side seems much easier

and safer, but how shall I get across?"

So he built a raft out of branches and reeds

and safely crossed the river.

Then he thought to himself:

"This raft has been very useful to me

in crossing the river;

I will not abandon it to rot on the bank,

but will carry it along with me."

And thus he voluntarily assumed

an unnecessary burden.

Can this man be called a wise man?

This teaches that even a good thing,

when it becomes an unnecessary burden,

should be thrown away...