Gift of Tears

A relative of Ryokan asked the monk to speak to his wayward son.  Ryokan came to visit the family home but did not say a word of admonition to the boy.  He stayed the night and prepared to leave the following morning.  As the wayward boy was helping tie Ryokan's straw sandals, he felt the warm drop of water on his shoulder.  Glancing up, the boy saw Ryokan, eyes full of tears, looking down on him.  Ryokan departed silently, and the boy soon mended his ways.

Mary Lou Kownacki, Between Two Souls