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The Art of the Full Stop
101
cause he needed the money which the ornaments would bring for his daughter's marriage feast. He invited the guests, and along with them, out of gratitude to the lion, he invited the lion. The lion was not anxious to go to the party, but the woodcutter convinced him.
When he arrived, all the guests were alarmed and started to run away. “Don't worry,” the woodcutter told them. “He won't hurt you. This lion is just as tame as an old dog."
When the money from the ornaments ran out, the woodcutter again went to the forest. This time the lion would not show him where there were more ornaments. Instead, he told him, “Here, make a wound on my paw with your knife.”
The woodcutter asked, “What? You want me to make a cut in your paw?”
“Yes,” the lion answered. “Come back in one month and I will talk to you then.” He did as the lion requested, and one month later returned to the forest.
The lion asked him, “Can you see the wound you made with your knife?” The woodcutter saw that it was completely healed. The lion continued, "The wound of the flesh can be healed, but the wound from your words is still bleeding.” The woodcutter had used the words “He is just as tame as an old dog" in a hurry, and the lion was insulted at being compared to a dog.
So when anger is about to come and you are about to speak harsh words, say to yourself, “Let me close the window." The first window to close is the mouth. It is better to close the mouth and open the eyes and see who is standing before you. There is no need to repress the anger. Watch the inside feeling and turn it into steam, into some creative energy. Let there be space between you and the person with whom you are angry. First you say to yourself, “I am angry. I don't like what happened.”
