Two childhood friends set out on separate paths in life. One chose the quiet simplicity of a monk’s life, content with little and devoted to spiritual practice. The other pursued ambition, rising to become a wealthy minister in the king’s court, surrounded by luxury and power.

Years later, as they catch up, the minister looked at his old friend with genuine sympathy, he said, “If you learned to serve the king, you wouldn’t have to live on rice and beans.”

The monk smiled and replied, “If you learned to live on rice and beans, you wouldn’t have to serve the king.”