steam

The strategists have a saying:
I dare not be a host, but rather a guest;
I dare not advance an inch, but rather retreat a foot.

This is called marching without moving,
Rolling up one's sleeves without baring one's arms,
Capturing the enemy without confronting him,
Holding a weapon that is invisible.

There is no greater calamity than to under-estimate
the strength of your enemy.
For to under-estimate the strength of your enemy
is to lose your treasure.

Therefore, when opposing troops meet in battle,
victory belongs to the grieving side.
-- John C.H. Wu, Chapter 69, Tao Te Ching

I was upset because I felt misunderstood and attacked.

The cold bleak winter day did not help.

"You are on the war path," said Jesus.

"It's not me. It's them," I said.

Lao Tzu snorted and burst out laughing.

"Listen to yourself," he said.

"It takes two to make a war," said Jesus.

"Well, I don't need them anyway!" I said.

"It's you that needs to disappear, not them," laughed Lao Tzu.

"Let's go for a walk," said Jesus. "I want to show you something."

We bundled up, left the house and crunched through the snow.

"Here it is," said Jesus.

A natural hot spring sent up wisps of steam.

"Climb in, boys," he said.

We took off our clothes in the brisk air and eased into the heat of the water.

"Ahhh!" said Lao Tzu. "Perfect!"

I could feel all tension letting go, releasing as if it never existed.

"I think he is learning his lesson," said Lao Tzu to Jesus.

"What is that?" I asked.

"Be like water," said Lao Tzu.

I splashed water at him.

"I hate it when you quote Bruce Lee," I said.

Jesus made a water cannon with his hands.

He hit both me and Lao Tzu full in the face with a stream of water.

"Hey, Prince of Peace! Cool it!" I sputtered.

Jesus laughed and we all three hooted like the old friends we are.