A young boy traveled across Japan to the school of a teacher. When he arrived he was given an audience by the sensei.
“What do you wish from me?” the master asked.
“I wish to be your student and become the finest learner in the land,” the boy replied. “How long must I study?”
“Ten years at least,” the master answered.
“Ten years is a long time,” said the boy. “What if I studied twice as hard as all your other students?”
“Twenty years at least,” the master answered.
“Twenty years! What if I practice day and night with all my effort?”
“Thirty years,” was the master’s reply.
“How is it that each time I say I will work harder, you tell me it will take longer?” the boy asked.
“The answer is clear,” replied the master. “When one eye is fixed upon your destination, there is only one eye left with which to find the way.
