A man came to a sage
and asked,
“How can I overcome my ego?”
“You can’t”
was his definitive reply
as he sat serenely smiling.
“What must I do?”
pleaded the earnest young novice
desperate for an answer.
“I too became frustrated with my attempts
to rid myself of ego entanglements
until that too became the ego’s playground.”
“So what did you do?”
Asked the incredulous wide-eyed seeker
eager to learn the secret.
“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you”
laughing he revealed,
“I used to pretend it was my in-laws!
Instead of getting upset
when it always popped up unexpected
and uninvited.
I used to wave and say to myself,
“Oh, there you are again
My dear, persistent friend!”
I would graciously let the ego say his piece
I would dutifully change the sheets
and offer hospitality
And this was sure to comfort him enough
To leave peacefully until another day.
