Homecoming

It was just another lazy morning.  TL had asked me to come to the coop to listen to a new song that he had learnt, Bruce Lee was dozing in one corner and all was quiet.

Suddenly we were startled by the screeching of brakes and the loud blaring of a truck's horn.  We went outside and saw that it was Farmer Chen.  We were even more surprised to see Ms. Penny accompanied by a rooster and six adorable little chicks!  Farmer Chen then said that Ms. Penny had requested him to take her back to Bruce Lee's coop as she wanted to see some of her old friends.  

It was indeed a delightful surprise and everyone was so happy to see her again with her family.  She introduced her husband, Mr. Goldie (so nicknamed because of his mane of gold coloured feathers around his neck) to Bruce Lee, who looked him up and down like he was his son-in-law before he uttered a curt "Hello".  Mr. Goldie is indeed a splendid looking rooster, very elegant and handsome despite his age, and Bruce Lee probably felt a little jealous of his good looks because he ignored him and talked to Ms. Penny only.

While Ms. Penny was busy catching up with her friends, Farmer Chen drew us aside and said he had something to tell us.  

"I was in town two days ago and passed by the market place.  I then heard someone screaming my name and I turned to see that it was ..... Cluck Cluck!"

"What?" gasped Bruce Lee.  "He's still around here?"

Farmer Chen nodded.  "I saw that he and some other roosters were locked up in a cage ready to be sold in the market and Cluck Cluck was begging me to rescue him. I felt sorry for the poor guy, so I bought him and took him home.  Obviously I could not let him stay at my farm because of Ms. Penny, so I left him at my brother's place not far from mine.  He has been there since.  I have not mentioned any of this to Ms. Penny but I thought you should know."

Bruce Lee snorted and said, "Serve him right!  I hope he has learnt his lesson now!"

"I asked him whether he wanted to return to your coop," continued Farmer Chen.  "But he said no, he did not dare face you again, Bruce Lee."

"Huh!  I'm not surprised," said Bruce Lee. 

"Well, if you decide to take him back, just let me know," said Farmer Chen.

So after the happy reunion, Ms. Penny and her family returned home with Farmer Chen.  I was glad to see that she is now very happy and seemed to have forgotten about  Cluck Cluck.

"Why not you forgive Cluck Cluck and take him back," TL asked Bruce Lee after they had gone.

"What if he causes trouble here again?" Bruce Lee said.  "I don't want him to worry any of the hens, besides I don't think they would want him back.  Let me think about it."

About a week later, we saw Farmer Chen again.  I wondered what news he had this time.

"Bruce Lee," he said.  "My brother woke up this morning and found Cluck Cluck gone.  Not only that, but one of his hens was also missing.  So it looks like they have both run away together!"

Bruce Lee almost choked when he heard this, then he apologised to Farmer Chen for the trouble Cluck Cluck had caused and for the loss of his brother's hen.

The old farmer laughed and said, "Not to worry, Cluck Cluck wasn't well liked at my brother's farm and they were all glad to be rid of him!  As for that hen, she was stupid to follow him.  Good luck to her!"

TL shook his head and said, "Something tells me we haven't seen the last of that young bird."

Bruce Led grunted but didn't make any comment.  I thought he looked rather tired, I think he probably had enough of recent happenings in the coop!

 

Here's TL's new song.  It's called "No Need to Race".   Sing along and have fun!

One good day is all we need

Plant a little love just like a seed

Take it slow, let the river flow

One good day is all we need

No need to win, no need to race

Count your blessings one by one

Easy living under the sun 

Daily Prayer

With Metta,

DA

The Buddha Said ....

"When a man speaks or acts with good intention, then happiness follows him like his shadow that never leaves him."

(From the book "The Golden Words of the Buddha") 

Cat Wisdom

 

Ning's Ghost Story

Story told by Ning

It's the "Hungry Ghost Month" again.  Da usually gets very nervous during this time and tells me to be careful and not stay out too late at night lest I bump into some spooks.  Well, I'm not too concerned about this, not all spooks are evil, some are lonely old souls who miss their family, some died tragically in an accident or mishap.  They just want some friendly companionship and someone to listen to their woes.  I also believe they're there all the time, not only during this "Hungry Ghost" month.

Last night after leaving the Club at midnight, I decided to take a short cut to my hideout.  I hadn't used it for some time and it meant going through a path with trees and bushes but it would take me home faster.

I was trudging along in the semi-darkness when suddenly I felt a cold wind blow towards me.  Then I saw them - a young couple both dressed in white.  I knew at once that they were ghosts.  I wasn't the least bit scared, so I casually asked. "Hi, what are you two ghosts doing here?"

The young man (whom I shall call Ghost 1) looked surprised and asked, "Aren't you afraid of us, little cat?"

I laughed.  "Why should I be?  If you're going to suck my blood, you would have done so without wasting time talking."

Ghost 2 smiled and said, "We're not vampires.  You need not worry."

"Okay then," I said.  "Tell me what happened to you two!"

Well, they both had sad tales to tell and when they finished, I gathered that they had  died very young, in the same hospital, on the same day, at the same time one month ago .  He had cancer and she had leukemia and neither of them knew of this strange coincidence until now. 

"We only bumped into each other just now," said Ghost 2.  Then to my dismay, she burst into a flood of tears, saying how she missed her mum and siblings.

I had often heard Da speak of loving kindness and compassion and this lady ghost's tears were enough to melt any heart of stone.  I decided I had to help her in some way.

Meantime Ghost 1 had put an arm around her to comfort her and as their eyes met, I could see sparks fly!

So I said to Ghost 1, "Look, your friend needs someone to look after her, she's lonely and miserable and you're the perfect man ... I mean ghost .... for the job.  Why don't you help her, you'll be blessed with a good rebirth for your good deed!" (That was something Da also talked about - a good rebirth and it came in handy!)

Ghost 1 looked at Ghost 2 and whispered, "I'd be honored to take care of you .... may I?" I was very relieved when she smiled and nodded her consent.  

With that settled, I went home feeling very pleased with myself.  Never at any point in my life had I imagined I would play "matchmaker" to two ghosts!  Before they left, I asked for their names  (they were Wan  Don Yu and Luo An Jie (or Don and Anjie for short).  I carefully noted them down on a piece of paper before I went to sleep.

A couple of days later, I went to see Da and told him of my encounter with the two young ghosts.  He was stunned and found my story quite unbelievable! I then told him that I had  gone to the hospital to check their records and every detail was correct, just as they had told me - date of death, time, etc. and their file photos of course matched the apparitions I saw.

To me, their meeting in the afterlife was like pre-destined because in their earthly sojourn, their illness prevented them from leading a normal life.

I didn't see Don and Anjie again after that first meeting even though I took the shortcut to my hideout several times hoping to meet them.  

As Da would say, I wish them peace, happiness and eternal rest.

"Aren't you afraid of us, little cat?"

Cat Wisdom

Attachment

 

SADHU!  SADHU!  SADHU!

The Spooks are Here Again!

It's that dreaded time of year again - the 7th lunar month or the "Hungry Ghost Month"!  Most of you out there know how nervous I get during this time!  The entire Ghost Month runs for a month (from August 13) when the gates of the underworld open to let out wandering spirits!  So usually I sleep early with my blanket thrown over my head and shades over my eyes, so that I see nothing, hear nothing.

However, about two evenings after the Ghost Month began, I had a strange, if not unnerving experience.  I had gone to bed early and so had the nuns but I couldn't sleep.  So after tossing about, I decided to sit at the window of the kitchen to look at what's going on out there.

It was quite dark and all I could see were  shadowy bushes and plants in Head Nun's garden.  A few cars sped by, their headlights sometimes shining at the temple.  Then suddenly I heard someone call me.   I was about to turn and see who it was when I remembered what the humans said about hearing things at night during this spooky month, which is if you hear someone call your name or tap your shoulder from behind, you should avoid turning round to look because who knows who or what you're going to see!

So I froze on the window sill, my hair standing on end.  After a while, I thought it was safe to get down and go back to my basket but then again, I heard my name being called .... "Vege Cat"...... and the voice seemed to be getting nearer!

I panicked.  I jumped from the window sill and dived into my basket, threw my blanket over my head and froze.  After a while, nothing happened and finally I found courage to jump out of my basket.  I ran to APK's room and knocked on her door.

A very sleepy APK opened it and asked, "Vege Cat!  What do you want?  Why aren't you asleep yet?"

I told her in a shaky voice what had happened.  She smiled, gathered me up in her arms and said, "Aya, you silly cat.  Your fear has made you imagine all sorts of things.  For your information, I heard someone call my name too last night....."

"You did?" I gasped.  "Then what ... what happened?  Who or what was it?  Did you take a look?"

"Do you really want to know?" she asked, her face serious.

"Y-yes," I replied, goose pimples running up and down my spine.

"If I tell you, you're sure you won't be scared?" 

I gulped.  "I'm....I'm sure," I whispered.

She rolled her eyes, shuddered, then took a deep breath (at this point, I gripped her tight, my heart pounding) and in a quivering voice, she said, "I saw ...... HEAD NUN!"  

Then she broke into peals of laughter and seeing the expression on my face, said she was telling the truth - Head Nun did come to check whether she needed an extra blanket.  

If that was meant to be funny, I didn't think it was.  I heard what I heard but she didn't believe me. 

I shall have to ask Head Nun to buy me a pair of ear plugs when she next goes to town.

Goodnight, everyone and sleep tight ....if you can.

The Heaviest Burden

The Buddha taught that anger is a destructive, self-inflicted mental state.  It's like grabbing hot coal to throw at someone, but you are the one who gets burnt first.  Anger hurts your peace, equanimity, health, among other things.

So next time someone makes you angry, go drink a glass of cold water.  Take a walk and get away from the scene of anger.  Choose not to accept the abuse, leave it with the person who brought it, treat it like an unclaimed gift.

Walk gently, speak kindly.

Namo Buddhaya.

With Metta,

DA

Cat Wisdom