Buddha convinced the people br Always with simple parables. br The story of three carts br Was one of those stories. br br There was a wealthy man. br He had three children. br Their house caught fire br One day, quite unaware. br br The boys were playing, br And despite a warning br From their worried father br They didn’t notice the fire. br br He again softly told them br “You all now come. br I’ve kept three carts br Outside our house gate.” br br “One is goat-cart br Another is deer-cart br The third is ox-cart, br Each one, you’ll get.” br br At once, they ran out br To see their carts. br But saw three white br Ox driven carts. br br By then, they were aware, br Their house was on fire. br No doubt, a lie it was, br But it saved three lives. br br The white-ox was taken br As a middle path one, br That gave one contentment, br Happiness and enlightenment. br br He always said: br br “One should eat and drink br Limited to what body takes. br Extreme austerities will torture br One’s body, also extreme pleasure.” br br “Filled with water alone, br A lamp will never burn. br You keep your body fit, br If you want enlightenment.” br br “From tree top, a bird comes br Down to pick up grains, br But get caught in the net br By this tempting act.” br br “Lured by a bait, br A fish gets caught, br When it’s tempted br To go for its food.” br br “Like a lotus flower br In a pool of water, br One should learn br To grow and live on.” br br “Lotus keeps on growing br Not minding its surrounding br One should grow like this, br Let it be any kind of circles.