It’s All in Your Own Hands!

Once there was a wise old hermit,

Known for his knowledge and insight,

There came a few kids with a trick

To test how wise was the old ascetic.

Cupping his hands, a boy called out:

"Say, hermit, what's here in my hands?"

Hearing the chirping, the hermit said:

"It's a tiny snow-white dove!"

Asked the boy, then, if dead or alive;

The wise old hermit wondered what to say.

If he says "alive," the boy could crush and kill;

If he says "it's dead," the boy would let it fly.

Making up his mind, the hermit said:

"It is what you make it and it's all in your own hands!"