A Father's Lesson: The Wisdom of Perspective| A Famous Zen Story| Life Lesson| Moral Value of Life

In this thought-provoking story, an aging farmer reaches a point where he can no longer work in the fields and spends his days sitting on the porch. His son, who is still actively working the farm, grows frustrated with his father's apparent lack of usefulness. In a fit of frustration, the son builds a wooden coffin and instructs his father to climb inside.

As the son drags the coffin towards a high cliff with the intention of discarding it and his father, he hears a tapping sound coming from inside. Curiosity leads him to open the lid, only to find his father lying peacefully and looking up at him. Instead of pleading for his life, the father calmly suggests that if he is going to be thrown over the cliff, the wood coffin should be saved for future use by the son's children.

The story serves as a powerful reminder of the wisdom that comes with age and the importance of perspective. The father's response shows his acceptance of his own mortality and his ability to see beyond the immediate situation. It teaches the son a valuable lesson about the value of family, foresight, and appreciating the contributions of those who have come before