During the civil wars in feudal Japan, an invading army
would quickly sweep into a town and take control. In one
particular village, everyone fled just before the army
arrived - everyone except the Zen master. Curious about this
old fellow, the general went to the temple to see for
himself what kind of man this master was. When he wasn't
treated with the deference and submissiveness to which he
was accustomed, the general burst into anger.
"You fool," he shouted as he reached for his sword, "don't
you realize you are standing before a man who could run you
through without blinking an eye!"
But despite the threat, the master seemed unmoved. "And do
you realize," the master replied calmly, "that you are
standing before a man who can be run through without
blinking an eye?"
