One day, a student came to the master. She had heard so much about the wise man that she wanted to study with him. She had taken care of all her affairs, tied up her bundle, and climbed the mountain, which took her two days on foot.

When the young woman arrived at the master's house, he was sitting on the floor in the lotus position, drinking tea. She greeted him effusively and told him everything she had already learned. Then she asked him if she could continue her studies with him.

The master smiled kindly and said, "Come back in a month."

Confused by this answer, the young woman returned to the valley. She discussed with friends and acquaintances why the master had sent her away. A month later, she climbed the mountain again and came to the master, who was sitting on the ground drinking tea again.

This time, the student told him about all the hypotheses and assumptions she and her friends had come up with as to why he had sent her away. And again she asked him if she could study with him.

The master smiled kindly at her and said, "Come back in a month."

This game was repeated several times. So it was after many futile attempts that the young woman set out once again to go to the master. When she arrived at the master's house and found him drinking tea again, she sat down opposite him, smiled, and said nothing.

After a while, the master went into his dwelling and returned with a cup. He poured her some tea and said, "Now you can stay here so that I can teach you. I cannot pour anything into a full vessel."