________________
The Emperor paused and he thought for a moment about the minister's question. Then he replied; "I cannot answer that question right now."
To which the minister replied, "But I am leaving tomorrow for India and I may never return."
"You cannot leave India until one condition is fulfilled. Then the time will be right," the Emperor said.
"And what is that condition ?" he replied with some surprise.
"In front of the house where you are staying is a very large, old oak tree. It has been there for hundreds of years. When the tree falls, then you can return to India."
The minister was very taken aback by the Emperor's condition and he became very depressed by the thought of never leaving China. Then he began to think that the oak tree would fall and that he could return to India. Night and day, the thought of a falling oak tree appeared constantly in the minister's mind, and it was like a mantra with even the sound of the falling tree appearing in his ears. Then, on the 41st day, a terrific wind and rain storm came up and blew the oak tree down. The minister was greatly relieved and he thought 'now I can go."
Before the minister left, the Emperor appeared and said that the felling of the oak had answered his original question about change.
"If you are thinking positively." the Emperor said,
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