As a departure from the topics on which I normally post, I have included the following actual similes and metaphors purportedly found by high school English teachers from across the United States of America in their student's essays. Some of them are actually pretty impressive.
- Her face was a perfect oval, like a circle that had its two sides gently compressed by a Thigh Master.
- His thoughts tumbled in his head, making and breaking alliances, like underpants in a dryer without Cling Free.
- He spoke with the wisdom that can only come from experience, like a guy who went blind because he looked at a solar eclipse without one of those boxes with a pinhole in it and now goes around the country speaking at high schools about the dangers of looking at a solar eclipse without one of those boxes with a pinhole in it.
- She grew on him like she was a colony of e-coli and he was room-temperature Canadian beef.
- She had a deep, throaty, genuine laugh, like that sound a dog makes just before it throws up.
- Her vocabulary was as bad as, like, whatever.
- He was as tall as a six-foot, three-inch tree.
- The revelation that his marriage of 30 years had disintegrated because of his wife's infidelity came as a rude shock, like a surcharge at a formerly surcharge-free ATM machine.
- The little boat gently drifted across the pond exactly the way a bowling ball wouldn't.
- McBride fell 12 stories, hitting the pavement like a Hefty bag filled with vegetable soup.
- From the attic came an unearthly howl. The whole scene had an eerie, surreal quality, like when you're on vacation in another city and Jeopardy comes on at 7:00 p.m. instead of 7:30.
- Her hair glistened in the rain like a nose hair after a sneeze.
- The hailstones leaped from the pavement, just like maggots when you fry them in hot grease.
- Long separated by cruel fate, the star-crossed lovers raced across the grassy field toward each other like two freight trains, one having left Cleveland at 6:36 p.m. traveling at 55 mph, the other from Topeka at 4:19 p.m. at a speed of 35 mph.
- They lived in a typical suburban neighborhood with picket fences that resembled Nancy Kerrigan's teeth.
- John and Mary had never met. They were like two hummingbirds who had also never met.
- He fell for her like his heart was a mob informant, and she was the East River.
- Even in his last years, Granddad had a mind like a steel trap, only one that had been left out so long, it had rusted shut.
- Shots rang out, as shots are wont to do.
- The plan was simple, like my brother-in-law Phil. But unlike Phil, this plan just might work.
- The young fighter had a hungry look, the kind you get from not eating for a while.
- He was as lame as a duck. Not the metaphorical lame duck either, but a real duck that was actually lame, maybe from stepping on a land mine or something.
- The ballerina rose gracefully en pointe and extended one slender leg behind her, like a dog at a fire hydrant.
- It was an American tradition, like fathers chasing kids around with power tools.
- He was deeply in love. When she spoke, he thought he heard bells, as if she were a garbage truck backing up.
- The hailstones leaped from the pavement, just like maggots when you fry them in hot grease.
- Her date was pleasant enough, but she knew that if her life was a movie this guy would be buried in the credits as something like "Second Tall Man."
- The thunder was ominous-sounding, much like the sound of a thin sheet of metal being shaken backstage during the storm scene in a play.
- The red brick wall was the color of a brick-red Crayola crayon.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Sunday, May 08, 2011
佛祖说：Why are you still carrying her?
Tanzan and Ekido, two monks on a pilgrimage, were traveling together when they came to the ford of a river. It was there where they met a lovely young girl dressed in silk kimono with a sash and all manners of finery. However, she appeared not to know how she could proceed towards the opposite bank since the water level in the river was high and she obviously was not too keen to soil or wet her clothes.
Without much ado, Tanzan then proceeded to take her on his back, carried her safely across the river and put her down on dry ground on the opposite bank. Thereafter, the monks continued on their way.
Tanzan and Ekido did not speak again until that night when they reached a lodging temple. It was then when Ekido could no longer restrain himself and said “Surely, it is not right for us to touch that girl by the river bank; for it is against the commandments for monks to have close contact with women. How could you of all people violate such a cardinal rule for monks?”
Tanzan remained silent for a moment, but he finally remarked, “I have already set her down by the river bank hours ago. Why are you still carrying her?”
P.S. The above story is derived from a classic kōan. A kōan is a fundamental part of the history and lore of Zen Buddhism. It typically consists of a story, dialogue, question, or statement, the meaning of which cannot be understood by rational thinking but may be accessible through intuition.
One of the most difficult thing which we face constantly in life is to let go of something from the past. When someone does us wrong and seeks forgiveness in the process, we may already choose not to grant that someone forgiveness. Even if we do forgive that someone, we may inadvertently still choose to continue carrying the memory of that wrong. It is especially so if we are that someone who has committed the wrong against somebody else. I am sure we do not want to continue carrying memories of the wrong and its associated guilt, but unfortunately, we often do. In fact, it often seems to be infinitely more difficult for us to forgive ourselves than to forgive someone else. So, when are we ever going to lay down the memories of our past transgressions and move on in life?
Without much ado, Tanzan then proceeded to take her on his back, carried her safely across the river and put her down on dry ground on the opposite bank. Thereafter, the monks continued on their way.
Tanzan and Ekido did not speak again until that night when they reached a lodging temple. It was then when Ekido could no longer restrain himself and said “Surely, it is not right for us to touch that girl by the river bank; for it is against the commandments for monks to have close contact with women. How could you of all people violate such a cardinal rule for monks?”
Tanzan remained silent for a moment, but he finally remarked, “I have already set her down by the river bank hours ago. Why are you still carrying her?”
P.S. The above story is derived from a classic kōan. A kōan is a fundamental part of the history and lore of Zen Buddhism. It typically consists of a story, dialogue, question, or statement, the meaning of which cannot be understood by rational thinking but may be accessible through intuition.
One of the most difficult thing which we face constantly in life is to let go of something from the past. When someone does us wrong and seeks forgiveness in the process, we may already choose not to grant that someone forgiveness. Even if we do forgive that someone, we may inadvertently still choose to continue carrying the memory of that wrong. It is especially so if we are that someone who has committed the wrong against somebody else. I am sure we do not want to continue carrying memories of the wrong and its associated guilt, but unfortunately, we often do. In fact, it often seems to be infinitely more difficult for us to forgive ourselves than to forgive someone else. So, when are we ever going to lay down the memories of our past transgressions and move on in life?
Sunday, May 01, 2011
佛祖说：石桥禅
阿难对佛祖说 ：我喜欢上了一女子。
佛祖问阿难：你有多喜欢这女子?
阿难说：我愿化身石桥，受那五百年风吹，五百年日晒，五百年雨淋，只求她从桥上经过。
佛祖说:会有多喜欢?
可是一见钟情便倾心一世?
可是不问回报而付出等待？
阿难，某日等那女子从桥上经过，那也便只是经过了，此刻你已化身成了石桥，注定只与风雨厮守。
这一切你都明白，仍旧只为那场遇见而甘受造化之苦。
阿难，你究竟有多喜欢那从桥上经过的女子，令你舍身弃道，甘受情劫之苦？
------------------------------------------------------------
有个年轻美丽的女孩，出身豪门，家产丰厚，又多才多艺，日子过得很好。
媒婆也快把她家的门槛给踩烂了，但她一直不想结婚，因为她觉得还没见到她真正想要嫁的那个男孩。
直到有一天，她去一个庙会散心，于万千拥挤的人群中，看见了一个年轻的男人，不用多说什么，反正女孩觉得那个男人就是她苦苦等待的结果了。
可惜，庙会太挤了， 她无法走到那个男人的身边，就这样眼睁睁的看着那个男人消失在人群中。
后来的两年里，女孩四处去寻找那个男人，但这人就像蒸发了一样，无影无踪。
女孩每天都向佛祖祈祷，希望能再见到那个男人。
她的诚心打动了佛祖，佛祖显灵了。
佛祖说：“你想再看到那个男人吗？”
女孩说：“是的！我只想再看他一眼！”
佛祖：”你要放弃你现在的一切，包括爱你的家人和幸福的生活。”
女孩：“我能放弃！”
佛祖：“你还必须修炼五百年道行，才能见他一面。你不后悔么？”
女孩：“我不后悔！”
女孩变成了一块大石头，躺在荒郊野外，四百多年的风吹日晒，苦不堪言，但女孩都觉得没什么，难受的是这四百多年都没看到一个人，看不见一点点希望，这让她都快崩溃了。
最后一年，一个采石队来了，看中了她的巨大，把她凿成一块巨大的条石，运进了城里，他们正在建一座石桥，于是，女孩变成了石桥的护栏。
就在石桥建成的第一天，女孩就看见了，那个她等了五百年的男人！
他行色匆匆，像有什么急事，很快地从石桥的正中走过了，当然，他不会发觉有一块石头正目不转睛地望着他。
男人又一次消失了，再次出现的是佛祖。
佛祖：“你满意了吗？”
女孩：“不！为什么？为什么我只是桥的护栏？如果我被铺在桥的正中，我就能碰到他了，我就能摸他一下！”
佛祖：“你想摸他一下？那你还得修炼五百年！”
女孩：“我愿意！”
佛祖：“你吃了这么多苦，不后悔？”
女孩：“不后悔！”
女孩变成了一棵大树，立在一条人来人往的官道上，这里每天都有很多人经过，女孩每天都在近处观望，但这更难受，因为无数次满怀希望的看见一个人走来，又无数次希望破灭。
不是有前五百年的修炼，相信女孩早就崩溃了！
日子一天天的过去，女孩的心逐渐平静了，她知道，不到最后一天，他是不会出现的。
又是一个五百年啊！最后一天，女孩知道他会来了，但她的心中竟然不再激动。
来了！他来了！他还是穿着他最喜欢的白色长衫，脸还是那么俊美，女孩痴痴地望着他。
这一次，他没有急匆匆的走过，因为，天太热了。
他注意到路边有一棵大树，那浓密的树荫很诱人，休息一下吧，他这样想。
他走到大树脚下，＊着树根，微微的闭上了双眼，他睡着了。
女孩摸到他了！他就靠在她的身边！
但是，她无法告诉他，这千年的相思。她只有尽力把树荫聚集起来，为他挡住毒辣的阳光。
千年的柔情啊！
男人只是小睡了一刻，因为他还有事要办，他站起身来，拍拍长衫上的灰尘，在动身的前一刻，他抬头看了看这棵大树，又微微地抚摸了一下树干，大概是为了感谢大树为他带来清凉吧。
然后，他头也不回地走了！就在他消失在她的视线的那一刻，佛祖又出现了。
佛祖：“你是不是还想做他的妻子？那你还得修炼……”
女孩平静地打断了佛祖的话：“我是很想，但是不必了。”
佛祖：“哦？”
女孩：“这样已经很好了，爱他，并不一定要做他的妻子。”
佛祖：“哦！”
女孩：“他现在的妻子也像我这样受过苦吗？”
佛祖微微地点点头。
女孩微微一笑：“我也能做到的，但是不必了。”
就在这一刻，女孩发现佛祖微微地叹了一口气，或者是说，佛祖轻轻地松了一口气。
女孩有几分诧异，“佛祖也有心事么？”
佛祖的脸上绽开了一个笑容：“因为这样很好，有个男孩可以少等一千年了，他为了能够看你一眼，已经修炼了两千年。”
佛祖问阿难：你有多喜欢这女子?
阿难说：我愿化身石桥，受那五百年风吹，五百年日晒，五百年雨淋，只求她从桥上经过。
佛祖说:会有多喜欢?
可是一见钟情便倾心一世?
可是不问回报而付出等待？
阿难，某日等那女子从桥上经过，那也便只是经过了，此刻你已化身成了石桥，注定只与风雨厮守。
这一切你都明白，仍旧只为那场遇见而甘受造化之苦。
阿难，你究竟有多喜欢那从桥上经过的女子，令你舍身弃道，甘受情劫之苦？
------------------------------------------------------------
有个年轻美丽的女孩，出身豪门，家产丰厚，又多才多艺，日子过得很好。
媒婆也快把她家的门槛给踩烂了，但她一直不想结婚，因为她觉得还没见到她真正想要嫁的那个男孩。
直到有一天，她去一个庙会散心，于万千拥挤的人群中，看见了一个年轻的男人，不用多说什么，反正女孩觉得那个男人就是她苦苦等待的结果了。
可惜，庙会太挤了， 她无法走到那个男人的身边，就这样眼睁睁的看着那个男人消失在人群中。
后来的两年里，女孩四处去寻找那个男人，但这人就像蒸发了一样，无影无踪。
女孩每天都向佛祖祈祷，希望能再见到那个男人。
她的诚心打动了佛祖，佛祖显灵了。
佛祖说：“你想再看到那个男人吗？”
女孩说：“是的！我只想再看他一眼！”
佛祖：”你要放弃你现在的一切，包括爱你的家人和幸福的生活。”
女孩：“我能放弃！”
佛祖：“你还必须修炼五百年道行，才能见他一面。你不后悔么？”
女孩：“我不后悔！”
女孩变成了一块大石头，躺在荒郊野外，四百多年的风吹日晒，苦不堪言，但女孩都觉得没什么，难受的是这四百多年都没看到一个人，看不见一点点希望，这让她都快崩溃了。
最后一年，一个采石队来了，看中了她的巨大，把她凿成一块巨大的条石，运进了城里，他们正在建一座石桥，于是，女孩变成了石桥的护栏。
就在石桥建成的第一天，女孩就看见了，那个她等了五百年的男人！
他行色匆匆，像有什么急事，很快地从石桥的正中走过了，当然，他不会发觉有一块石头正目不转睛地望着他。
男人又一次消失了，再次出现的是佛祖。
佛祖：“你满意了吗？”
女孩：“不！为什么？为什么我只是桥的护栏？如果我被铺在桥的正中，我就能碰到他了，我就能摸他一下！”
佛祖：“你想摸他一下？那你还得修炼五百年！”
女孩：“我愿意！”
佛祖：“你吃了这么多苦，不后悔？”
女孩：“不后悔！”
女孩变成了一棵大树，立在一条人来人往的官道上，这里每天都有很多人经过，女孩每天都在近处观望，但这更难受，因为无数次满怀希望的看见一个人走来，又无数次希望破灭。
不是有前五百年的修炼，相信女孩早就崩溃了！
日子一天天的过去，女孩的心逐渐平静了，她知道，不到最后一天，他是不会出现的。
又是一个五百年啊！最后一天，女孩知道他会来了，但她的心中竟然不再激动。
来了！他来了！他还是穿着他最喜欢的白色长衫，脸还是那么俊美，女孩痴痴地望着他。
这一次，他没有急匆匆的走过，因为，天太热了。
他注意到路边有一棵大树，那浓密的树荫很诱人，休息一下吧，他这样想。
他走到大树脚下，＊着树根，微微的闭上了双眼，他睡着了。
女孩摸到他了！他就靠在她的身边！
但是，她无法告诉他，这千年的相思。她只有尽力把树荫聚集起来，为他挡住毒辣的阳光。
千年的柔情啊！
男人只是小睡了一刻，因为他还有事要办，他站起身来，拍拍长衫上的灰尘，在动身的前一刻，他抬头看了看这棵大树，又微微地抚摸了一下树干，大概是为了感谢大树为他带来清凉吧。
然后，他头也不回地走了！就在他消失在她的视线的那一刻，佛祖又出现了。
佛祖：“你是不是还想做他的妻子？那你还得修炼……”
女孩平静地打断了佛祖的话：“我是很想，但是不必了。”
佛祖：“哦？”
女孩：“这样已经很好了，爱他，并不一定要做他的妻子。”
佛祖：“哦！”
女孩：“他现在的妻子也像我这样受过苦吗？”
佛祖微微地点点头。
女孩微微一笑：“我也能做到的，但是不必了。”
就在这一刻，女孩发现佛祖微微地叹了一口气，或者是说，佛祖轻轻地松了一口气。
女孩有几分诧异，“佛祖也有心事么？”
佛祖的脸上绽开了一个笑容：“因为这样很好，有个男孩可以少等一千年了，他为了能够看你一眼，已经修炼了两千年。”
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