1 The Birth of Streams, Rivers, and All the Like.

There once was a scholar.

He had studied all he could in his little village.

He learned of water, dirt, sky, and when he learned of everything that he could see, he decided to go on a journey to learn everything else

One day, the scholar happened upon a flowing body of water. He had seen water, he had drank water, he had lifted water out of a well, but never had he seen... flowing water. He was dumbfounded, confused, "Had water ever been able to flow like this?" The scholar sat down, for three days and three nights he sat without eating nor drinking. "A stream..." the scholar suddenly stood up, "I shall name this flowing water, 'stream'. " The scholar continued on his journey with his newfound knowledge.

The scholar's journey took him far, to the point where he couldn't remember how to return. He had not met any other human on his journey. As the scholar was trying to find his way using the stars, he chanced upon large pool of water. It was not a stream, for the water was still. It was not a well, for it was far larger than one. The scholar once again sat down, another 3 days and 3 nights he sat without moving. "Water... stream... well..." the scholar picked himself up, "I name this large well 'pond'. " The scholar went on his way, satisfied that his library of knowledge increased once again.

The scholar was walking until suddenly he heard a roar, he jumped back, prepared to run away as soon as the beast attacked. He waited, and waited, but the roaring continued. Once again, the scholar was confused. He walked forward, and saw before him a majestic beast of water. This flowing, no, rushing water was no stream. It was faster, larger, and without a doubt, not a stream. But then what was it? The scholar sat down, for 3 days and 3 nights he contemplated. Upon the fourth morning the scholar stood up, "I name this rushing water 'river'. " The scholar continued on his journey, eager to know what was next.

The enthusiastic scholar continued on his way, when all of a sudden the world went silent. No wind, no animals, no birds chirping, and there before him he saw it, a large, but tranquil, body of water. "A pond?" the scholar thought to himself, "No..." The scholar sat down, his heart still, his mind clear, and for 3 days and 3 nights he stood still before the silence of the water. "Once again have I expanded my horizons." The scholar stood up and stared towards the water, "I name you 'lake'. " The scholar started to walk away from the lake but stopped, for the scholar was tired. With an iron will the scholar took another step, leaving behind this boundary he considered the furthest. The scholar continued on his way, not content with what he had seen.

For months the scholar endured the journey, hoping to see something beyond the lake. The scholar was tired and about to turn back, until he took one final step. Before him stood infinity, an endless body of water, from where he stood, he could see no other side. The scholar's mind was shook, the boundary between the lake and what he was seeing was too much. The scholar kneeled, with his head facing downwards, not daring to look up. For 3 days and 3 nights he withstood the pain in his knees, for 3 days and 3 nights he fought with his inner demon, for 3 days and 3 nights he extended his boundary, his limits. When the sun rose on the fourth day, the scholar lifted his head up and stared towards the endless water, his eyes were clear and his mind without doubts. The scholar stood up tall and faced the infinity, "I name you 'ocean'. " For hours the scholar stood there, facing the ocean. Then he smiled, and turned away, for he had comprehended all he could.