Shotokan Karate Do Academy of New England

    I don't remember the title to this story, the author, or whom should get credit for it. ( If a reader knows the origin please e-mail me.) I also know there is a great deal more to it. I'm afraid I don't remember that either. For the effort I thought to pass it along. This should remind every reader of someone they know in their day to day journey.
 

Story of a young Samurai and a Great Master
 

    A young Samurai goes to the school of a famous Master with great desire on being accepted as a student. The Teacher invites the young Samurai in.

    As they sit waiting for a pot of tea to steep, the young Samurai begins to tell the teacher about his enemies, about the battles he has won, those he has lost, and the times victory has been unfairly taken from him by a turn of fate. On and on he talks. He talks about the disciplines he has mastered, his own students, his passions and most importantly, what he expects this Master to teach him.

    The Master smiles politely. He watches. He listens. He waits.

    Finally the tea is ready and the teacher begins to pour a cup for the young Samurai. The small cup fills to the top and the master, still looking at his guest, keeps pouring. The cup overflows and tea begins to spill across the table, and down, onto the young Samurai's lap.

    After a moment, the young man finally jumps up and yells, "Stop, Master! Stop! The cup is full. You can't put any more in."
The Master, still smiling and still looking at the student, slowly stopped pouring the tea, and says, "Yes. The cup is just like you. Already full. I will not be able to teach you anything until you come to me with cup empty."

When on occasion I meet a person who is interested in learning something from me. My trade, karate, or what ever. Then they open there mouth and talk on and on about all the things they know, and all the things they have experienced. I think of this story. Or at lest the first part of this story that is written here.