The Other Boat Is Empty


The Other Boat Is Empty

A Zen story about anger and understanding











On a quiet, moonlit night, a man was rowing his little boat across a peaceful river.

The stars sparkled above him.

The water was still.

The only sounds were the gentle splash of his oars and the whisper of the night breeze.

It was a perfect night for a peaceful journey. 

As he rowed through the darkness, he suddenly noticed another boat drifting straight toward him.

He called out,

“Hello! Please turn your boat!”

But the boat kept coming.

He shouted louder,

“Watch out! You’re going to hit me!”

Still, there was no answer. 

The boat drifted closer…

and closer…

The man’s heart filled with anger.

“Can’t you see me?” he shouted.

“Why won’t you move your boat?”

He was ready to blame the stranger for ruining his peaceful night.

With a gentle bump,

the two boats touched.

The man looked into the other boat—

and stopped.

There was no one inside.

The little boat was completely empty,

drifting quietly wherever the river carried it.

His anger disappeared as quickly as it had come. 

The man smiled softly beneath the moon.

“There was no one to blame,” he whispered.

As he continued rowing through the quiet night, he understood something important.

Sometimes our anger comes from the stories we tell ourselves.

Sometimes we become upset before we know the whole truth.

Whenever anger begins to grow,

pause…

take a breath…

and remember:

The other boat may be empty. 








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