Things That Break

One afternoon, Master Chou was visiting Master Li. “Where is your wooden staff, the one I carved for you?” asked Master Chou. Master Li said, “It broke when I hit a student over the head with it.” Master Chou then said, “And where is that candle holder I brought you from Tibet?” Master Li responded, “It broke when I threw it at a lazy student.” Master Chou shook his head and said, “There seems to be a problem here with your anger”. Master Li said, “No, the problem is you keep giving me things that break.”