The River -- Thich Nhat Hanh

This is my summarized version of the short essay, The River, by Thich Nhat Hanh


Once there was a beautiful river. She was happy.

One day, she noticed clouds floating in the sky. She loved the clouds and wished to possess one. She chased the clouds but could not reach them as they were high in the sky.

A strong wind came one day and blew all the clouds away. The sky was empty. The river was sad as she was used to chasing after clouds. She wanted to die as there was nothing for her now.

One night, she looked deeply into herself and suddenly realized that clouds were made of water and that she herself was water.

The next morning, she saw the blue sky for the first time. She had never noticed it as she was only interested in the clouds.

That afternoon the clouds returned. She said hello to them. When the clouds wanted to go away, she said goodbye. She now no longer wanted to possess them.

That evening she opened herself to the sky and received the image of a full moon.

She realized that everything beautiful is already there. There is nothing to chase after.