busy"The Power of Perseverance"
Ari grumbled over the state of the blades.
"These are dull again," she said,
frowning at the metal edges.
"So sharpen them," Shahana said.
"Life is an obstacle that dulls
even the best blade with use.
That's why we have whetstones."
"I know, I know," Ari said.
"It's just boring. At home,
my father always used to
sharpen the family's blades,
but he's -- gone, now."
"Here, let me teach you
a meditation for perseverance,"
Shahana said, sitting down
beside her novice.
The paladin's hands moved
with sure, steady strokes
as she honed the edge
of her knife.
"While you work, imagine that
your mind is the steel," said Shahana.
"You want to make it sharp and bright
again. Smooth away all the thoughts
that do not serve you."
Ari followed along, her strokes
less certain but still diligent,
her brow furrowed in concentration.
The girl was young,
but she was learning.
* * *
Notes:
A whetstone makes it possible to sharpen knives.
Perseverance is the virtue of continuing in the face of obstacles. There are ways to cultivate your own or teach it to others.
