One day, a philosopher was walking with his students on the street which was full of people and scream of peddlers and hawkers,and which shows a flourish scene .
After walking for a distance, he asked his students:"Who is happy among the venders that you've just seen?" One student answered:"The one who sells fish is always smiling because many buy his fish when we pass ."Without the student finishing his words, he shook his head and said :"Happiness because of money can't last for long ."
They continuously walked ahead. There were farmhouses in front with the crowing of cocks in mulberry trees and the barking of dogs in the deep lanes and small knots of people walking fast to be busy.The philosopher asked them to take action individually . After a while,he raised one more question :"Whose life seems to be richest among the villagers you 've met?"
A student walked forward for a step and answered:"There is a villager with black faces living in the east .He raises chickens , ducks,cows and horses at home .Additionally, on the hillside there are fields in a total size of dozens of acres. After finishing the work at home ,he goes on working in the fields.He is always working and wet with sweat.His life should be rich."The philosopher thought for a while and said :"The one who devotes himself to trifles must get lost in the trifles. He can't be the richest."
The group kept on going ,In front there was a hillside dotted with sheep just like clouds. On a huge stone sat a gaunt and haggard old man with a whip in his arms,looking faraway.The philosopher stopped his students at once and said :"The old man who lets his eyes travel over the great scenes and lets fancy free is the master of life ." The students looked at one another with great puzzle and thought the old man herding sheep might be lonely and hungry and how he could be the master of life.Seeing their puzzled expressions,he said in a clear and loud voice:"Can't you see his mind is taking a happy walk?"
（by Ma De）
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