A RIVER SPEAKS 1.

One day the great Chinese philosopher, Confucius, stopped by the river bank with his disciples. The great teacher looked long at the flowing water. One of his disciples, Tzu-kung, broke the silence and asked. 2. O Master, why do you always look at a flowing river in deep thought? 3. Sons, Confucius replied, the water a river can teach us many a good lesson. Listen. 4. Water is a most useful thing. It waters the land to make all things grow, yet it is not boastful of its merit. It is just like a virtuous man. 5. When water flows, it gently starts from higher plane to a lower one, step-by-step just like an elderly man. 6. Water flows continuously from morning till night without any let up just like mans unceasing effort. 7. Flowing water is not daunted by high cliffs or deep valleys = just like man of courage one who never loses heart. 8. Wherever water flows, it will not go away until the channel is full to the brim. It is must like a well-disciplined man. 9. Water, whether it is in the sea, in the river, or in a little brook, always maintains a level juts like a man who does not have to be governed by mere rules. 10. Water cleans dirty things just like a good man transforming evil into good. 11. Water always continues in the direction, it is flowing regardless of obstacles just like a man who is not stopped by difficulties. 12. Sons, water has many lessons to teach us. That is why i never looked at a river without pondering over it.