(a version of the ancient buddist koan)

a traveller once took a long journey.
in a forest on the way, a tiger emerges from the trees.
the traveller flees the path.
the tiger immediately pursues.

running fast through the underbrush, the traveller comes to a precipice.
the tiger is right behind.
there is no turning back.

so the traveller grabs a wild vine and swings quickly over the edge.
feet dangling into air, it is a fall to death.
the tiger claws and reaches from above.

just then, two mice appear.
one black. One white.
they start to gnaw at the vine.

the traveller looks around.
a ripe strawberry is growing on the cliff face.
stretching, the traveller plucks the wild fruit and eats it.
oh, how sweet.