The Peasant Who Wanted to Cross the River
Once upon a time, beside an ancient forest where cool waters flowed, there lived a cheerful villager. One day this villager set out on the road to the neighbouring town in order to meet with the merchants. In the middle of the journey, a wide and rushing river that was hard to cross appeared before him. Glittering beneath the radiant beams of the sun, this river was so mighty that it would make the traveller's crossing difficult. The villager stopped on the bank and, watching the flow of the water, began to think about where he might cross to the other side. In one part of the river the waters struck the rocks with a great roar and scattered foam. This foaming and unruly current appeared exceedingly frightening and deep to the eyes of the inexperienced villager.
On the other side of the river, however, the surface of the water stretched out still and silent, like a perfectly smooth pane of glass. Whispering to himself, the villager said, "This noisy current will swallow me, it is best that I cross from that gentle looking place." Just as he was about to set his foot into those calm waters, a wise old man resting beneath the plane tree rose up. The old man warned him in a soft voice: "Hold on there, my son, do not take a step trusting your eyes alone." The villager hesitated and replied: "Why should I stop, uncle, the noisy water is very dangerous, while this place looks quite safe." Instead of answering, the wise old man grasped the long wooden staff in his hand and drew near to the bank. The old man first plunged his staff towards the middle of that noisy and foaming current.
It was seen that the water churning with such a great roar did not in fact rise above the ankle and that the stones on its bed could be made out clearly. Then the old man slowly plunged the same staff into that still water which looked smooth and calm. The staff vanished completely into the dark depths of the water without striking a single rock at the bottom. Horrified at the sight he beheld, the villager grasped how deceptive appearances can be. The young man, who thanked the old man with gratitude, walked safely through the noisy but shallow water and reached the opposite bank. Silence does not always bring peace, sometimes the deepest dangers hide beneath the calmest surfaces. Still waters run deep.