A student once went to his master and asked him: What is life, Master?

The master smiled and answered: Sit down and I will tell you a story:

"Once upon a time there was a child who lived in a village. He was happy there with his family and friends. He always played and helped his family, swam and fished in the lake, collected wood and mushrooms from the forest, sang and danced around the fire in the evening.

Travelers passed through his village telling stories about other places. Some told about a wonderful, completely extraordinary place, which is further away, on top of a mountain where you feel very good, happiness fills you every moment and there is no trace of pain or sadness. With each story listened to, the desire to go to that place grew in the child. One fine day he realized that it was big enough and decided to leave to look for the wonderful place. He managed to convince his parents that he will be fine, said goodbye to his family, friends and places of his childhood and left on the road indicated by the travelers.

The road was not easy, it passed through little-traveled places and through thick lanes. The young man made his way with enthusiasm, for him it was an interesting and exciting experience. He learned to make a shelter for himself, to recharge himself with energy when fatigue told him the word, to find food and to mend his clothes. He met other people who were looking for the same place and he went sometimes with one, sometimes with another, because the road in several is easier. Some went faster, others rested more, others had heard of other roads and followed them, so that, sooner or later, he was separated from his traveling companions. When he no longer knew where to look for her, he asked travelers who had been in the wonderful place to point him in the right direction. Then he was on his way again.

In the places he passed through, he met people who looked at him with interest. Many helped him, with a place to sleep for the night, something to eat and a kind word. They asked him where he had been and listened with interest to what he told them, and he felt a little like a traveler among those he had listened to in his village. And that's how he started to like helping the people he met, as he could: for one he repaired the fence, for another he found a lost goat in the forest, for another he brought the child who had stayed in the house when the river rose and flooded everything the household It was as if he was making this journey for all the people he met, not just for himself. When he missed home, he looked for his loved ones in the eyes of those he met and every woman was his mother, every man his father, every child his brother or sister. Then his heart was warmed and filled with gratitude and love.

He walked for a long time and climbed a lot. The villages were more and more rare, the path more and more clear. He no longer felt tired, a feeling of joy carried him forward as if he had floated. At one point he saw a shining peak and knew that he had to get there and that he would get there soon."

And what happened when he arrived? asked the disciple.

He woke up. replied the master smiling.