“Yes, he is inside,” I said.
“Why don’t you call him to get out?”
“I did, but he is shy; he doesn’t like to meet anyone because he is afraid of everyone mocking his body size.”
“Is he big?”
I nodded and told, “He isn’t big; he is so big,” while my ears noticed a low-pitched howling of a wolf from inside the jungle.
I opened the door and put a rose apple on a table in my front yard.
The crow flew to stand on the table and ate the fruit while I was lying in a lounge next to the table.
“Since I knew you, you have been alone. Don't you have friends?” I said.
“I once had it, but now I don't have it, and I don't want to have it,” Crow said.
“Why?”
“Because they were my friends, but I was not their friend.”
“Can you tell your story?”
The crow took a few bites of the rose apple, then she told, “When we went to find food, they always asked me to get it. When I got it, we shared, but they took more than half. One day, when I tried to steal food, the food owner saw and threw a stick at me. They didn't care about me; they flew away. I got injured, but I tried to take the food and escaped. When we met, I told them I got a wound; they said it was my karma. If I didn't steal, I wouldn't get it. However, they took the food that I stole and liked before they took more than half. After that accident, I decided to work alone.”
“I see.” I wagged my head.
“Hello duck, why are you late?” Twin piggies said.
“I was listening to my master and his daughter’s discussion,” Duck said.
“Why are you interested in the matter of humans?” I said.
“Because it sounded interesting,” Duck said.
“What did they discuss?” Cow asked.
“His daughter said she and her team distributed the leaflet. However, the people refused to take it, and some took it but then threw it into the dustbin,” Duck said.
“Oh pitiful,” Cow and Twin Piggies said.
“People won't be interested in the leaflet unless it benefits them,” I said.
All of them shrank their eyes, “What does it mean?”
“Humans call it marketing. Giving leaflets is a way to tell the customers about their services. However, nowadays customers don't like to take leaflets, but if the company creates a leaflet that gives benefits to the customers, for example, if there is a discount coupon on the leaflet, it might be helpful.”
“Wow, pig, you are great,” all of them said.
“No, I’m not. This idea I heard from my ex-master,” I told.
I opened the door and saw the crow was on a tree branch in front of my house.
“Hello, crow, how are you doing?” I said.
“Every day is the same,” the crow said.
“Steal food every day.”
The crow nodded, “Uh huh.”
“Well, can I ask you a question?”
“Yes, you can, but I can refuse to give an answer as well.”
“Sure.” I smiled. “I just want to know how you manage to live safely after you get the food.”
“This question I can answer, but not for free.”
“How much?”
“One apple a day for seven days.”
“I have rose apples.”
“Deal.” She was silent for a few seconds, then said, “If you want to live safely, don't let anyone, even people in your family, know what is the thing that makes you die.”
“Hello cow. Come in,” I said and opened the gate for him. “You look not happy.”
“Yes,” he said and took a sigh. “I’m sad when I see my master is sad.”
“What’s wrong with him?”
“Not him, his son.”
“What’s wrong with his son?”
“He is not happy with his life. He graduated from university, but he can’t get a job. Since he studied technology, he tried to build an app. Still no success.”
“Well, he will not be successful though he builds a satellite.”
“Why?”
“Because there were people who built it before him already. In short, in this era, unless you create something that is the newest, you will have a chance to call yourself a successful person or become rich.”
“Did you hear our masters chatting?” Duck said.
“Yes, I did,” Cow said.
“What did all your masters talk about?” I asked.
“They discussed who is the most unsuccessful leader in the world,” Twin Piggies said.
“Oh.” I wagged my head.
“And you? Who do you think is the most unsuccessful leader in the world?” Duck said.
“Well, I heard from my ex-master. He said the most unsuccessful leader in the world is the Buddha,” I said.
All of them unlocked their eyes, “Why?”
“According to his history, he was a prince, and he would be the emperor, but he gave up his throne, he gave up his comfortable life, he gave up his wife and his son, and he gave up everything, even his fine clothes, and went to the forest to seek a way to get off the suffering. He did it not only for himself or his family but also for the entire world. However, the human does not follow his instruction but turns to use his finding to gain benefit for themselves more and more.”
“But I think he has a lot of disciples and followers,” Cow said.
“Correct,” Twin Piggies said.
“Well,” I grinned and said, “as an instance, the Buddha said ordinary people should not drink alcohol, but no one stops and turns to drink more and more. They drink and drink till the alcohol producers become millionaires. Talking about his disciples. When the Buddha was living, he didn’t ask for his room to be built with expensive or valuable materials or to be big. As well, wherever he went, he went on foot. During that time, it already had transportation, cows, horses, horse carts, etc. However, he didn’t use any of it even though he went to very far away places. But look at his disciples nowadays; they need a big room, their rooms are of special decoration and equipped with modern materials, and they have luxurious cars as well. In addition, they run following a high position; they live their lives the same as ordinary people - seeking for money, title or position, and fame.” I took a long sigh. “From my point of view, he is not only an unsuccessful but also a pitiful leader in the world.”
All of them carried a sad face after hearing my statement.
“Correct.” Duck nodded. “Getting out of the house might give us troubles, but it makes us grow up; it makes us improve. So you should not fear troubles. Get out of your comfort zone.”
“Don't need to get out because troubles usually come to me though I stay in my house,” I said.
They unlocked their eyes, “Really?”
“Yes,” I claimed. “The wolf, the crow, and…” I didn't say anything, but my eyes looked at them.
“I heard my masters say that too,” Cow said.
“Our masters too,” Twin Piggies said.
“It means we are moving to live on earth. I’m so excited,” Duck said.
“Me too,” Cow and Twin Piggies said.
“All of you go. I'm staying here,” I said.
“Why?” All of them asked.
“Because Mars does not make us immortal. Furthermore, wherever humans are, there are troubles and there are fights. If everyone goes to live on Mars, it means the earth is safe and peaceful. So I better stay here,” I stated.
It was easy since I was new to planting succulents. There are many kinds of succulents. After discussion, three of us decided to plant mothe...
