The entry below is a follow-up on the story written yesterday that was entitled “Beyond the throes of Resentment” about two brothers. 
One brother where everything he attempted came easy for him, and the second who resented his brother because he did not appear to be so lucky. The first son seemed to have everything come easily to him, while the second chose a less obvious path, struggling to fit into the community’s expectations.
It leaves us reflecting on Chuang Tzu’s words: “Anything deemed useful by the world’s standards is never going to approach the Tao.”
They say true understanding comes when we release rigid, rational frameworks. As a writer, I’m always balancing the pull between following guiding principles and embracing freedom while exploring the Tao. The story below reflects on how we often face issues by focusing solely on personal gain versus how we might instead embrace life for the greater good. It’s saying that we have a choice, and we shouldn’t focus only on distinguishing between truth and falsehood, but also on looking beyond appearances to consider more than just our own personal interests.
That asking, “what or where is this thing called Tao, is asking the wrong question”. We should see the Tao as both everything and transcendent and existed before both Heaven and Earth. Chuang Tzu tells us that it has been in existence since all of eternity.
In the story below is the choice to preserve a place called Graveyard Hill a name given to protect it from development where spirit is meant to be honored. The place where the second son could find and see his role in a much bigger context and true meaning.
My travels with Lieh Tzu / Interpolations along the Way
Chapter Eight – Explaining Conjunctions
144. A decision for eternity
As Sun Shu‑ao’s sons grew older they both prospered. The oldest as a respected merchant, who had an eye for a bargain and the sense to sell at the right price. His younger son went on to gain prominence as one who knew all the great philosophers of the day, able to recite their stories and convey their knowledge in a way that all could understand them. 
When Sun Shu‑ao was close to death he warned his sons:
“The king has several times offered me a fief, but I did not accept. When I die, he will make the same offer to you both. Be sure not to accept strategically useful land. Between Chu’u and Yueh is Graveyard Hill, which is strategically useless land with a very inauspicious name. The men of Yueh believe in omens. This is the only place which can be owned for long.”
Soon after Sun Shu‑ao’s death, just as he predicted the king offered them excellent land and the two sons were torn as to the proper course of action. The son who had become wealthy saw the advantage to the land being offered and at first jumped at the chance to further extend his fortune.
His other son was familiar with the land his father had suggested and knew it to be a holy place where many had come to seek enlightenment. He knew that its reputation as Graveyard Hill was given as a misnomer to keep others away who had not yet found the way within themselves as the Tao and other religious teachings had directed. He knew that this place would be secure if he could convince his brother that they should keep their father’s last wish and accept the king’s offer.
While his brother may look to expand his wealth in the short run, he knew the family’s real fortune was tied to the preservation of Graveyard Hill. He reminded his brother of the story their father had told them when they were small. 
A time when everything had come easy for his brother and so difficult for him.
That it had been the story told by the old man of Fox Hill that had given me the wherewithal to see beyond comparisons with you, to see beyond my own limitations. It was then that you promised to use whatever rank, honor or salary you might obtain to keep to your responsibility to your family. This you have done over the years, and you have always been my greatest friend, and you have always kept your word.
His older brother sat back and thought long and hard at what had just been told him. It had always been the needs of his family that had directed his endeavors, and he too could remember the story their father had told them of the old man’s story and his own promise. In the end, he knew there had been no choice. Just as he had known from the beginning.
Now we are confronted with the ultimate test our family could aspire to that will define us for eternity. Do we strive to increase the riches of our family by accepting strategically located land? Land we will always have to fight to keep for ourselves because of its importance, or do we take the land known as Graveyard Hill that nobody wants? Land more valuable than most will ever know. As neither of us has ever fallen to the resentment that could have been thrust upon us, this last wish of our dearly beloved father is one I hope we can make in total agreement.
The two sons followed the wishes of their father and instead asked the king for Graveyard Hill. A request that was quickly granted. In so doing, what they may have lost in the short term they were sure to gain in eternity. While others questioned their logic, they knew their decision was the only one they could make. As the old man of Fox Hill looked on knowing that his conversation with their father had served its purpose. 8/19/95
Number one hundred forty-four of one hundred fifty-eight entries.
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