Vedantic Tales : The Discipleship
        of Ajay : The Osprey

Once was enough, the Abbot said. So you want to join the Monastery.

Yes, sir.

Are you ready to have your wings clipped? Ajay gasped.

Figuratively, of course, the Abbot said in his deep voice; but it amounts to the same thing. He went on in a severe tone. A monk doesn't fly for pleasure or for exhibition. He doesn't waste time soaring on thermals. He is not encouraged to develop his individual talents. In fact, he has no time to do so. Individual needs are subordinated to the needs of the group. He must be obedient to the flick of a feather. There is no place in a monastery for a virtuoso flyer.

Ajay was silent.

Well? the Abbot said after some time had passed.

I don't have to be a virtuoso flyer, Ajay said.

Yes, my boy, you do; you will always have to be a virtuoso flyer, whether you compete or not. You were born one.

Sir, I want I want to know the Infinite. There was another long silence. Then the Abbot, looking intently at Ajay, said, You needn't join a monastery for that. There are other ways. But, sir...

The Abbot closed his eyes, and Ajay knew he had been dismissed. He flew back to the College disconsolately.

He told Sanyal of his rejection.

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