Another Letter and a Startling Statement

As my old friend at the monastery indicated I might, I received a letter from someone very important to me.

Dear Bodhisatva,
I don't suppose you remember me since you were so very young when we met. It was I who took you to the monastery on the day of the terrible tragedy. I won't speak of it anymore as I'm sure it's quite upsetting to you. Ajahn Ananda has given me your address so that I could write to you.

It has been some years since I visited that lovely land you come from. I was glad to see the forests were still cool and inviting and the fields quite green and productive. The little city by the port, however has grown into something of a big city now! Many more ships were in the harbor and the din of the trains coming and going was constant and a little exciting. But I would not like to have to stay there for very long. The path to the monastery, however, remains quiet and is still a long enough walk to keep the city's reach from disturbing the peace that is found there.

It was very good to visit with my old friend again and catch up on so much news. Although, in the brief time I was there our conversation was so much concerned with the business of our monasteries and hearing of your adventures that the Venerable Ajahn quite neglected to tell me how your brother has fared. Please do greet him for me the next time you see him.

Your Friend,
Bikkhu Sariputra

Brother? I don't have a brother. At least I don't think so. I wrote back to the Bikkhu immediately!

Dear Bikkhu Sariputra,
I am so happy to hear that you are well and traveling some. Personally I feel that travel is one of the finest things one may do to broaden one's view of the world and increase one's understanding of it. But we shall discuss that more at another time as I write to you in some haste.

Your letter contained something confusing to me. I was actually quite startled when you inquired after my brother. To my knowledge I have no siblings! Should you find the time I greatly wish to hear what you meant and perhaps clear up this misunderstanding.

Warmly,
Bodhisatva Paperclip

A Welcome Letter!

I was so pleased to hear from an old friend today.

Dear Bodhisatva,
I hope this finds you well and ready to engage the new year with happiness. We all thank you for the gift of the cavorite specimen. I have placed it under a bronze bell in the meditation room to restrain it from floating away. We have found the humming sound surprisingly soothing and conducive to mindfulness.

The last year has been a very good one for the monastery. All of the buildings are wearing new paint and the roof of the spring house is back where it belongs. Two more monks joined us this year so we now number seven. Our garden was very productive and it looks as though we will not starve this winter.

Should your explorations bring you to our humble country know you are always welcome to visit and stay as long as you wish. Bikkhu Upali has asked me to tell you we've christened the door key Bodhisatva because it hangs from the beam by the stove--though by a cord, not by its tail!--as you did so many cold nights.

Here is some news you may find interesting. Bikkhu Sariputra visited the monastery recently. Though I hesitate to remind you of that terrible day, you must recall that he was the monk who brought you to us when your poor parents were taken from the world in that tragic accident. In fact, this was the first time since then that he has visited as he resides in the Nakorn Monastery in Siam and travels infrequently. We were pleased to be able to tell him some of your travels and studies and have shared your address with him. He will, doubtless, write to you himself very soon.

May you be safe, well, happy and free!

Venerable Ajahn Ananda

I miss my friends at the monastery very much and really should visit again some day soon.

Expedition Africa!

Having a bit of spare time recently I booked passage to the continent of Africa for a brief visit. It proved to be a fascinating place indeed. On my arrival I asked the first inhabitants I met for directions but I'm afraid they weren't very much help. They were friendly, of course, but they seemed to find every question I asked them extremely funny and only laughed hysterically in response.



Unlike Caledon, the lands of Africa are not served by public transport in any form. I did, however, find this fellow who was more than happy to give me a ride for some distance.



Only one African I met was less than friendly. But I believe it was more out of shyness than rudeness as she thrust her head into the sand as soon as I approached her for an interview.



OK, I give up. What are we looking at?



Not all of Africa's amazing Nature is in animal form. Here I found some curious plants masquerading as stones. The bizarre paired leaves are swollen with stored water that is seasonally scarce in this area.



Near a village I encountered two lively monkeys climbing about. They were much too engrossed in their play to sit for an interview, but I was loath to interrupt them anyway as they appeared to be having so much fun.



A big farther along I wandered into a copse of trees with strangely patterned trunks.



Imagine my surprise when I gently knocked on the bark and subsequently learned that they were actually the legs of a two great camelopards!



Alas! My duties in Caledon called me home. So it was that I bid the continent of Africa farewell from atop a lovely waterfall. I must return again some day and continue my explorations!