The day before the alley gathering, neighbors unfolded chairs.The sound of strings drifted in from outside the workshop.Doyun opened the door and looked out.Doyun smiled at the rehearsal. “Do we really need a stage for a neighborhood get-together?”The musician leading the rehearsal stopped playing.“You were the one who said we should make room for people coming for the first time, Doyun.”Doyun saw a visitor pause at the end of the alley.He looked again at the way the instruments and chairs were arranged.Doyun: “You’re right. I didn’t think before I said that.”Doyun set another chair beside the aisle.When the first piece began, the visitor took that seat.Doyun took a seat in the back and listened to the last note.
Hearing strings and singing in Wucheng, Confucius joked about using a knife meant for an ox to kill a chicken. Ziyou recalled his teacher’s words: learning the Way leads exemplary people to care for others and makes ordinary people easier to direct. Confucius agreed with him and said the earlier remark was a joke.
Modern adaptation
Doyun makes light of staging a small gathering, then sees that the preparations help newcomers feel welcome and adds a chair.
Takeaway
When preparations seem excessive, look first at whom they serve.
Today’s question
Have you ever made light of something that someone else took seriously?
