A student had argued with one of his fellow students and came to the master, flushed with anger, demanding that the master resolve the matter. The master sat quietly for a moment. A breeze fluttered the leaves of the tree under which he sat, and the sunlight danced on the ground.

The student shuffled uneasily.

Then the master said, “Imagine that you are traveling down a road and come to a rock which blocks your path. Which is better, to remove the rock or to go around it?”

“It depends” replied the student. If I traveled the path often, it would be best to remove the rock. But if I was passing that way just the one time, it would be more expedient to go around it. At the same time, if it was a small rock and easy to remove, then it would be best to move the rock in either case.”

“And this issue with your fellow student: is it a small rock or a large rock?” asked the master.

“It is a rather large rock,” answered the student.

“And your relationship with him: is it a path you travel often?”

“Yes,” said the student.

“Best to remove the rock then,” said the master.