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The Story

To honor, my mother, Toshiko N. Suzukawa with the following who lived....
Herein lies our problem. A parable, when taken literally, does not make sense to the modern mind. Therefore we must learn to differentiate the parables and myths from actuality. However, if we learn to go beyond or transcend the parables and myths, we will be able to understand the truth. People will say "If such is the case why not speak directly so that we will be able to come to an immediate grasp of the truth?" This statement is understandable, but truth is often inexpressible. [Ed comment: we as human beings are limited in understanding
"Buddha Knowledge".
We cannot speak TRUTH, only words ABOUT Truth] Thus, writers and teachers have often resorted to the language of the imagination to lead the reader from a lower to a higher truth. The doctrine of reincarnation is often understood in this light.
Tao Te Ching: Chapter 11
translated by Frank J. MacHovec (1962)
Thirty spokes unite at the hub
but the ultimate use of the wheel depends on the part where nothing exists.
TAO TE CHING SEAL SCRIPT
(1) Three (2) times ten (3) spokes (4) share (5) one (6) hub
(7) as regards (8) its (9) not having
(9) has (10) the wheel (11) the same (12) use
Clay is molded into a vessel
but the ultimate use of the vessel depends upon the part where nothing exists.
Doors and windows are cut out of the walls of a house
but the ultimate use of the house depends upon the parts where nothing exists.
So, there is advantage in using what can be seen, what exists.
And there is also advantage in using what cannot be seen, what is non-existent.

The perfect Blossom is a rare thing you could spend your life looking for one and it would not be a wasted life... Katsumoto "The Last Samurai"

Fireflies in the Garden By Robert Frost
Here come real stars to fill the upper skies,
And here on earth come emulating flies,
That though they never equal stars in size,
(And they were never really stars at heart)
Achieve at times a very star-like start.
Only, of course, they cannnot sustain the part.
Robert Frost, “Fireflies in the Garden” from The Poetry of Robert Frost, edited by Edward Connery Lathem. Copyright 1928, 1969 by Henry Holt and Company, Inc., renewed © 1956 by Robert Frost. Reprinted with the permission of Henry Holt and Company, LLC.
Source: The Random House Book of Poetry for Children (1983)