Short story: Rain, tea, and Ink—The rainy day scribe
“The rain teaches us patience. Watch how it falls, gently, persistently, changing its tempo as it sees fit. Let your words flow similarly.“
The gray skies wept tears of its rain one misty morning in 15th-century Korea. Ji-Hoon admired the rain, noting how similar its momentum was to the words he wrote on the blank sheet with his ink and brush.
He was a young writer who sought wisdom and had the wish to be the greatest writer who ever lived.
Yet he knew his works lacked substance. Although Ji-Hoon’s words flowed like a raging river, his mind raced with self-doubt because he wanted his works to evoke emotions that affect positive change in his community. Knowing his problem, he traveled to seek the wisdom of Master Kim, a renowned calligrapher and writer of his time with years of wisdom and mastery of his craft.
Master Kim welcomed Ji-Hoon with a gentle smile, his eyes twinkling like raindrops on a lotus leaf. “Welcome young one, come in.”
Inside, the studio was a sanctuary of serenity. Soft rain pattered against the roof, creating a soothing melody. Ink-stained papers lined the walls, upholding the beauty of Master Kim's calligraphic wisdom. The scent of cedar wood enveloped Ji-Hoon. He offered Ji-Hoon a cup of tea and asked:
“What troubles your writing, young one?”
Ji-Hoon confessed his frustration: “I write hastily like the way the heavy rain falls, fearing my thoughts will vanish. But my words I fear lack depth, and my mind grows weary.
I feel like a jester sometimes or an imposter pretending to be smart enough to know what he is doing.”
Master Kim nodded sympathetically, his hands cradling the teacup. “The rain teaches us patience. Watch how it falls, gently, persistently, changing its tempo as it sees fit. Let your words flow similarly.”
They sipped the Yuja-cha tea and watched the rain intensify from its soft patter to heavy drumming against the roof. Master Kim took Ji-Hoon to his garden once the rain stopped. There in the garden sat lone lotus flowers blooming amidst tranquil ponds. Raindrops danced on the water's surface, creating a mesmerizing cadence.
“Observe the lotus,” Master Kim said, his voice firm and just above a whisper. “It grows slowly, yet its beauty is unmatched. Your words, too, require patience and nurturing.”
As they strolled, Master Kim shared the wisdom of Korean Jeong (slow ripening) and Japanese Wabi-Sabi (acceptance of imperfection).
“Your words, like the lotus, require patience and nurturing.”
The next day, Master Kim handed Ji-Hoon a blank piece of paper and a calligraphy brush. "Write a single character," he instructed. "But first, breathe with the brush."
Ji-Hoon inhaled deeply, feeling the brush's weight. As he exhaled, he began to write straight from his heart not from the words the mouth spoke. The stroke flowed effortlessly and he felt an unfamiliar sense of calm.
“Write another,” Master Kim said.
This time, Ji-Hoon paused, observing the ink's texture and the paper's grain. His second stroke was more deliberate, more beautiful.
Days passed, with Ji-Hoon practicing the art of slow writing. He learned to:
Be deliberate as he wrote, pondering where each word was taking him and what message it was leaving on the paper he wrote on
Listen to the silence between words
Observe the world's subtle rhythms
Check the tempo and alignment with each word
Hold on to his imperfection, it was his gateway to depth
On the third morning as Ji-Hoon wrote, a gentle rain began to fall. Master Kim smiled.
“Raindrops don't rush; they fall in harmony. Your words, too, can flow in harmony with what the universe wants you to breathe out through your words today.”
Ji-Hoon's writing changes indeed. His words carried the essence of the lotus, ripened by patience and care.
Lessons from my short story.
Breathe with your words: Slow down, and let your thoughts unfold naturally.
We are all a part of nature's cycle of flow. So observe the world's rhythms and align your creative flow with nature's cycles.
Appreciate the beauty in impermanence and refinement.
Allow your ideas to mature, like the lotus.
Harmonize with silence. Most of us are afraid of silence but when you listen to the spaces between words you reflect your vision better.
Nature does not hurry yet everything is done. We humans hurry the process—ruining things with our impatience. Fast food, fast money, fast wealth, fast content, fast fashion, and fast love—everything so fast and we see the results in our health, mind state, and mental health.
Today, I hope you allow your creativity to bloom like the lotus and all that you do to be a reflection of the beauty within.
All image credit to their respective owners
Thanks for reading. ♡