Chapter 1 of 6The Archer Who Left No Footprints
Once, an emperor the greatest archer in his court. “You are the finest archer in the entire kingdom,” the emperor declared. “Announce it throughout the kingdom. If no one comes forward to challenge you, I will officially you the greatest archer alive.” The archer smiled. “What is there to announce, Your ?” he said confidently. “There is no archer in this kingdom capable of competing with me.” At the palace gate stood an old gatekeeper. Hearing this, he laughed. The archer turned around, surprised. “Why are you laughing?” The old man bowed slightly. “I laughed because you still know very little about archery.” The archer was offended. “Very little? I am the greatest archer in the kingdom!” The gatekeeper calmly replied, “I know a man who is greater than you. Meet him before you make your announcement.” “How can such a man exist without my knowing about him?” The old gatekeeper smiled. “That is the point. A person greater than you may not be known to anyone. The effort to discover who is the greatest, and to prove it to everyone, is often a game played by a small mind.” The archer hesitated. “Where can I find him?” “I will give you his . Go to him. Learn from him. Then make your announcement.” The archer followed the old man's directions and traveled deep into the . At the foot of a forested mountain, he finally found the man. He stayed with him for three years. And slowly, he discovered something that shook his confidence. His journey in archery had only just begun.