This is one of the inspirational stories for teens which has been adapted from a Zen story. Once upon a time, a Zen master saw five of his students riding a bicycle. So he went to them and asked, “Why do you ride a bicycle?” Upon seeing their master, all five of them dismounted their cycles and greeted their master. All of them gave their master a unique answer.
“I ride my bicycle because it is easier to carry the sack of potatoes. It does not hurt my back when I carry it on the bicycle.’’ Their master smiled and said, “You are a smart boy. Your back won’t be hunched like mine when you grow old.” Also, read Thinking Out Of The Box.
The second student said, “When I ride my bicycle, I like to look at the trees and the fields that I pass by.” Again the master smiled and said, “Your eyes are open and you see the world.”
Then the master turned to the third student. The third student told the master that he finds it easier to chant and meditate while he is riding a bicycle. The master smiled and said, “Your mind will open up and run like a well-tuned wheel.”
The fourth student said to the master, “When I ride a bicycle, I feel that I am living in harmony with other beings and things.” The master smiled at the student and said, “You are riding on the golden path to no-harming.”
The fifth student, however, had the best answer. “Master, I ride my bicycle to ride my bicycle.” The master was extremely happy with this student. And said to him, “I am your disciple from today onwards. You are honest to yourself and others. And you do things because you want to.” You may also like to read, Two Friends And A Talking Tree.