The old grandfather sat outside the city gate with his cats and cigars, warming himself in winter sun or listening to summer evening rain. One day, a young person came to him to ask for counsel. After listening to a lengthy diatribe, the old man stroked a gaunt, black cat and said: “It is a difficult dilemma, and I do not envy your state. I sincerely wish you the best. Nevertheless, since you will not listen to heaven, to history, to nature, to your enemies, or to your friends and kin, you have only yourself to listen to. And one’s self is not always the best advisor. What is worse is that having gotten into the habit of not listening to everything and everyone else, you will most likely not listen to yourself, either. In the meantime, you might sweep the street and find something to give to the cats.”
the lost way 