The Moon Cannot be Stolen The Moon Cannot be Stolen

by Stephen Damon by Stephen Damon

Ryokan, a Zen master, lived the simplest kind of Ryokan, a Zen master, lived the simplest kind of
life in a little hut at the foot of the mountain. One life in a little hut at the foot of the mountain. One
evening a thief visited the hut only to discover evening a thief visited the hut only to discover
there was nothing in it to steal. there was nothing in it to steal.

Ryokan returned and caught him. “You may Ryokan returned and caught him. “You may
have come a long way to visit me,” he told the have come a long way to visit me,” he told the
prowler, “and you should not return empty- prowler, “and you should not return empty-
handed. Please take my clothes as a gift.” handed. Please take my clothes as a gift.”

Ryokan sat naked, watching the moon. “Poor Ryokan sat naked, watching the moon. “Poor
fellow,” he mused, “I wish I could give him this fellow,” he mused, “I wish I could give him this
beautiful moon.” beautiful moon.”