- Novice Monk: [Bursting with excitement] Master! I’ve discovered a huge secret!
- Master:[The Master raises an eyebrow, intrigued] Huh? What’s going on? What did you find?
- Novice Monk: I’ve realized that the moon always follows me. Wherever I go, it follows. It’s clearly always watching over me.
- Master: What? Is that possible?
- Novice Monk: Shh! Keep your voice down. Be careful, the moon can hear you.
- Master: Oh! I mean, not only does the moon follow you, it follows me as well. It’s also following everyone… It watches all of us on Earth.
- Novice Monk: Ah, I see now. No wonder its shape looks so much like an eye but why is it following us?
- Master: Well… the moon is always there, hanging in the sky, watching everything in the human world. It’s like God—though still and unmoving, it knows everything. Anyone who does wrong or misbehaves will eventually confront consequences.
- Novice Monk: [Looking concerned, his shoulders slumping slightly] Master…
- Master: Yes? What’s on your mind? Have you done something?
- Novice Monk: [Looking guilty, avoiding the Master’s gaze] Yes! I raised grasshoppers in your teapot. O Dong and I, while you were asleep, drew on your head to play around. Also about the ladder…
- Master: Alright, alright. It’s great that you acknowledge your mistakes and now you have to make an effort to correct them.
- Novice Monk: [With sincerity, bowing slightly] Yes, master! I’ll never do that again. Now I need to release the grasshoppers.
- Master: Wait… What happened to the ladder?
- Novice Monk: [Looking guilty, before speaking in a small voice.] I’m really sorry, master. The ladder… I accidentally broke it too.
- Master: It’s alright. The important thing is that you understand the consequences of your actions. Like the moon that watches over us, accountability is always present, even when we think no one is looking. We must be accountable for our actions, our choices always have consequences. It’s not about being punished—it’s about growing from our mistakes.
- Novice Monk: I understand now, Master. The moon shows us that everything we do is seen, and that there are consequences, but also the chance to learn and do better.
- Master: That’s right. The best way to honor the watchful eye of the moon is to live with integrity, always striving to do better, even when no one is watching.
Accountability is not a burden—it is a guide. Our actions matter, not just in the eyes of others, but to our own growth and the world around us.
Have you ever made mistakes? Probably more than once, because none of us are perfect. Acknowledging our mistakes not with fear or defensiveness, but with recognition and acceptance shows our personal growth, self-awareness, a commitment to learning from mistakes, and peace along our journey.
Live with integrity. Learn from your mistakes. It’s ok to not be perfect.
I hope you find peace within yourself.
