The Calling Card

Keichu, the great Zen teacher of the Meiji era, was the head of a temple in Kyoto. One day the governor of Kyoto called upon him for the first time.

Keichu's attendant presented the teacher the governor's card. The card read: Kitagaki, Governor of Kyoto.

"I have no business with such a fellow," Keichu said to his attendant. "Tell him to get out of here."

The attendant carried the card back with apologies.

"That was my error," the governor said. He took his card and with a pencil scratched out the words 'Governor of Kyoto'.

He handed the card back to the attendant and said, "Ask your teacher again."

"Oh, is that Kitagaki?" the teacher said when the card was again handed to him. "I want to see that fellow."