Measure of Body

Yutang Lin

Taller than others readily runs into obstacle head-on;
Born into such a position bound to learn to bow low.
Short body and limbs find enough space everywhere;
Whatever beyond reach could be obtained with help.

Comments:

A tall man came to visit; he bowed low to enter the door. Since he often ran head-on into things he had learned to lower himself. My body is short; wherever I go I find it spacious. If there were something beyond reach, I would ask for help with a smile. Measures of body produce such differences; similarly are measures of mind.

Written in Chinese and translated on October 18, 2001
El Cerrito, California

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