Taste of Life

Eastern parable

One man wanted to become a protégé of the true Master. He decided to check whether his choice was right and asked the Master the following question:

 ‘Can you explain what is the purpose of life?’

‘I can’t’ was the answer.

‘Then at least tell what’s the reason for living?’

‘I can’t.’

‘Then maybe you can tell something about the nature if death and life on the Other Side?’

‘I can’t.’

The disappointed visitor made himself scarce. The apprentices were confused: how could the Master present himself in such an unpleasant way?

The Master reassured them by saying:

‘What is the benefit from knowing the purpose and meaning of life if you’ve never tasted it? It’s better to eat the pie, rather than talk about it.’