A new start?

I'm going to try (when I can remember) to put some of my favorite taoist stories and lessons up here on a regular basis. I'll start with two of them, but the future will probably just be one at a time. Enjoy!

THE JOY OF THE FISHES

Chuang Tzu and Hui Tzu were crossing Hao river by the dam. Chuang said "See how free the fishes leap and dart? That is their happiness."

Hui replied "Since you are not a fish, how do you know what makes fishes happy?"

Chuang said "Since you are not I, how can you possibly know that I do no know what makes fishes happy?"

Hui argued "If I, not being you, cannot know what you know, it follows that you, not being a fish, cannot know what they know."

Chuang said "Wait a minute! Let us get back to the original question. What you aske me was 'How do you know what makes fishes happy?' From the terms of your question, you evidently know I know what makes fishes happy. I know the joy of the fishes in the river through my own joy, as I go walking along the same river."


THE NEED TO WIN

When an archer is shooting for nothing
he has all his skill.

If he shoots for a brass buckle
he is already nervous

If he shoots for a prize of gold
he goes blind
or sees two targets-
He is out of his mind!

His skill has not changed. But the prize
divides him. He cares.
He thinks more of winning
than of shooting-
And the need to win
drains him of power.