Ryokan's Hide-And-Seek

Thursday, October 8, 2009, 12:01

Ryokan a great master was a lover of children and as natural for him displayed the innocence of a child. He liked to play with children and involved in games like hide-and-seek, tamari, hand-ball and many other games. His innocence was such that people mistook him of being a little mad.

One evening while playing hide-and-seek with the childrn, it was Ryokan's turn to hide and the master hid himself under a straw stack in the field. It grew dark and the children unable to seek him, left the place. The next morning a farmer removed the straw stack and found Ryokan there. He exclaimed, "Oh Ryokan-sama! What are you doing here?"

Ryokan said, "Hush! Don"t talk so loud, the children will find me"