Why It Is OK To Have No Ambition In Life? - a zen short story

Summary

The story follows Zawa, a 15-year-old boy whose life has been centered around helping his father, Caillou, a woodcutter. Zawa's first day at school brings him face-to-face with the concept of ambition, something he had never considered. While other students shared lofty goals like becoming doctors and engineers, Zawa is content with his simple life of cutting wood and living on the hilltop. Despite pressure to define an ambition, Zawa reflects on the nature of happiness, questioning societal expectations and realizing that contentment may already exist in his current life.

Takeaways

• 📚 Zawa, a 15-year-old boy, experiences his first day at school, having never attended before due to poverty.
• 🌲 Zawa and his father, Caillou, live on a hilltop and work as woodcutters, selling wood to support themselves.
• 💡 Zawa has no concept of ambition, as his life revolves around chopping wood and carrying branches with his father.
• 🏫 At school, Zawa is asked about his ambition, but he doesn't understand what ambition means, causing the class to laugh at him.
• 🎯 The teacher explains that ambition is something one aims to achieve in life, but Zawa remains confused about the idea.
• 🤔 Zawa questions why people are asked to strive for goals and destinations that may not bring more satisfaction than his current life.
• 🌳 Zawa reflects on his life, realizing that he finds contentment in cutting wood, and questions the purpose of chasing a goal when he feels he's already at peace.
• 👨‍🏫 The teacher becomes frustrated when Zawa expresses that he’s happy with his current life and doesn't need an ambition.
• 🌧️ Zawa observes nature outside the window, noting that elements like rain and grass don't follow specific plans, yet humans feel the need to control and shape things.
• 🌿 Zawa concludes that it's okay to have ambitions, but it's also valid to be content with where you are, recognizing that life continuously evolves without fixed paths.

Q & A

Who is Zawa and what is his background?

Zawa is a 15-year-old boy who has never attended school before. He lives on a hill with his father Caillou, a woodcutter. Zawa has spent his entire life helping his father cut and carry wood.

Why hadn't Zawa attended school until now?

Zawa's father, Caillou, could not afford to send him to school due to their extreme poverty. Although Caillou always dreamed of Zawa getting an education, he prioritized their survival over schooling.

What does Caillou hope Zawa will gain from going to school?

Caillou believes that with education, Zawa will become intelligent and find better work than cutting and carrying wood, which has been their livelihood.

What is Zawa's understanding of ambition when first asked about it in school?

Zawa has no concept of ambition and has never heard the word before. His life has been centered around helping his father with woodcutting, and he doesn’t see any other purpose beyond their daily routine.

How does Zawa initially respond when asked about his ambition?

When asked about his ambition, Zawa explains that he has none. He describes his life as working with his father to cut wood during the day, eating in the evening, and sleeping at night, seeing no need for more.

What is the teacher's reaction to Zawa's lack of ambition?

The teacher tells Zawa that without ambition, he is a 'goal-less' person who lacks direction. The teacher insists that Zawa must have an ambition and work hard to reach a destination in life.

How does Zawa's understanding of ambition evolve throughout the story?

Zawa becomes confused by the concept of ambition, questioning why he must strive for a goal or destination that he doesn’t desire. He wonders if it’s necessary to pursue something that might not bring more happiness than what he already experiences.

What does Zawa tell his father about his experience at school?

Zawa tells his father that the school is asking him to grow a tree and cut it, whereas he and his father are already cutting existing trees. This analogy reflects his confusion about why he needs to chase something that he feels is already fulfilled in his current life.

How does Zawa eventually respond to the teacher’s expectation about having an ambition?

After some reflection, Zawa tells the teacher he wants to be a doctor. The teacher is pleased with this answer, but Zawa seems to be saying it only to satisfy the teacher’s expectations rather than a genuine desire.

What philosophical insight does Zawa gain from observing nature outside the classroom?

Zawa observes that nature—like rain, grass, and clouds—doesn't follow any set path or plan, unlike humans who try to impose order and direction. This leads him to question whether there is truly a path or goal he must follow in life.