Fables (excerpt)

...

"Sensai, what are emotions?"  asked the pupil.

Without a moment's pause Sensai replied, "Go ask the dog!"

The pupil was an earnest learner and asked his master, "How should I ask the dog about emotion?"

Sensai replied, "Exactly as you would ask me."

Student went back to his study, unconvinced but willing.

Shortly after he made his way to the yard.  There, the dog was chewing on an extremely large bone.

Student walked behind the dog, standing over him from behind watching him gnaw away.  He asked, "Dog, what do you know of emotions?"

The dog did not respond, not even a flinch.

Student repeated less patiently, "Dog, tell me what are your fine thoughts on emotions?"

Dog looked back at him and growled and then continued gnawing.

Student sunk in his stance, defeated, and returned to his master.

"Sensai, I asked the dog about emotions and he had nothing to to tell me," he exclaimed.

"Has the dog died?" Sensai asked.

"No, he was a live and eating his bone." Student replied.

"Then surely there was a response," Sensai asserted, resuming his writing.

"No, he simply growled," Student replied.

"Then you didn't ask him properly," Sensai confirmed, not even lifting his head this time.

"I did, I asked him plainly with simply words, honestly wanting to know." said Student.

Sensai slammed his pen against his pad.  "No you did not!  I know my dog so I know how you asked him.  My dog eats his bone in the back of the yard.  You approached my dog from the rear, not asking for his attention but demanding it.  Then you asked him a question, no doubt while he was chewing, expecting him to speak to you while chewing.  When have you seen me show such little etiquette?  Then you likely repeated your question plainly, still as he ate, assuming from his silence that he was lacking in knowledge of such things.  Is this how you feel about me?  When you ask me questions, are you merely testing me? Do you feel I am unworthy of your questions?"

Student sunk his head, not knowing now what to say.

Sensai picked up his pen again.  Began to write.  After a few sentences he said softly, "Go now, and ask my dog your questions as you would ask me. Tonight you will clean the bathrooms."

Student agreed and thanked his master for a second chance.

Student approached the yard again later once he knew the dog had finished eating.

Dog was resting now beneath a tree.  Student walked towards him politely and sat down before him, waiting.   Dog then rose to his feet when he was satisfied. 

Student asked him humbly, "Dog, what are emotions?"

Dog walked up to student and said, "I do things, you see me and say happy words to me, I do those things again.  I do other things, you see me and say angry words to me, I don't do those things anymore."

Student thought about what Dog said and replied, "So you are saying that emotions are a tool that you use to get what you want from me?"

Dog laughed. "You are confused, Student.  You confuse your emotions for mine.  The things I do are what dogs do, that is my dog nature.  The things you say are what you say, that is your human nature.  If you were not here, I would still have my dog nature.  If I were not here, you would still have your human nature."

Dog paused for student to understand and then said, "Whether I am here or not, your words are either pregnant with joy or sorrow.  Emotions are the chosen delivery of a nature already conceived - a nature conceived by either joyous or sorrowful living."

Student thought more about what Dog had said and asked, "But don't you have emotions as well?  Aren't you affected by my words of joy and sorrow?"

Dog smiled, knowing Student had at least understood the basics.  He said plainly, "It is my choice to either feel happy or angry about your human nature, just as it is your choice to either feel happy or angry about my dog nature."

Student understood the message and stood up to leave.  He bowed towards Dog, and dog sat down, wagging his tail still with a smile. 

Student then said, "Dog, I am sorry that I disrupted you while eating earlier."

Dog licked himself and continued sitting, staring blankly.

Student understood and smiled.