A priest was in charge of the garden within a famous Zen
temple. He had been given the job because he loved the
flowers, shrubs, and trees. Next to the temple there was
another, smaller temple where there lived a very old Zen
master. One day, when the priest was expecting some special
guests, he took extra care in tending to the garden. He
pulled the weeds, trimmed the shrubs, combed the moss, and
spent a long time meticulously raking up and carefully
arranging all the dry autumn leaves. As he worked, the old
master watched him with interest from across the wall that
separated the temples.
When he had finished, the priest stood back to admire his
work. "Isn't it beautiful," he called out to the old master.
"Yes," replied the old man, "but there is something missing.
Help me over this wall and I'll put it right for you."
After hesitating, the priest lifted the old fellow over and
set him down. Slowly, the master walked to the tree near
the center of the garden, grabbed it by the trunk, and shook
it. Leaves showered down all over the garden. "There," said
the old man, "you can put me back now."
