ZEN STORIES

A painter renowned for his bamboo was commissioned by a temple to create a screen. After many months, the abbot inquired about the work. The painter said it was not yet ready. A year passed, and again the painter said it was not ready. Two years passed. Finally, the abbot went to the painter's studio and demanded to see the screen. The painter took up his brush and in a single, fluid motion painted a magnificent stalk of bamboo. " There," he said. "It is finished."