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the Correct Way of Thinking Once upon a time there were two merchants， who were friends. Both of them were getting ready for business trips to sell their merchandise， so they had to decide whether to travel together. They agreed that， since each hat about 500 carts， and they were going to the same place along the same road， it would be too crowded to go at the same time. One decided that it would be much better to go first. He thought， The road will not be rutted by the carts， the bullocks will be able to choose the best of all the grass， we will find the best fruits and vegetables to eat， my people will appreciate my leadership and， in the end， I will be able to bargain for the best prices. The other merchant considered carefully and realized there were advantages to going second. He thought， My friends carts will level the ground so we wont have to do any road work， his bullocks will eat the old rough grass and new tender shoots will spring up for mine to eat. In the same way， they will pick the old fruits and vegetables and fresh ones will grow for us to enjoy. I wont have to waste my time bargaining when I can take the price already set and make my profit. So he agreed to let his friend go first. This friend was sure hed fooled him and gotten the best of himso he set out first on the journey. The merchant who went first had a troublesome time of it. They came to a wilderness called the Waterless Desert， which the local people said was haunted by demons. When the caravan reached the middle of it， they met a large group coming from the opposite direction. They had carts that were mud smeared and dripping with water. They had lotuses and water lilies in their hands and in the carts. The head man， who had a know-it-allattitude， said to the merchant， Why are you carrying these heavy loads of water? In a short time you will reach that oasis on the horizon with plenty of water to drink and dates to eat. Your bullocks are tired from pulling those heavy carts filled with extra waterso throw away the water and be kind to your overworked animals! | 
