Recently I read a very interesting story, which goes to this effect. One day some people were rebuilding a barn when they found a mouse hole in a corner. They used smoke to force the mice inside the hole to come out. Some time later, they saw mice running out, one after another.

Then everybody thought that all the mice had escaped. But as they were just about to start to work, they saw two more mice squeezing out at the exit. The strange thing was that after they finally came out of the hole, they didn’t run away immediately. Instead one chased after the other near the exit of the hole. It seemed that one was trying to bite the tail of the other.

Everyone was puzzled, so they stepped closer to take a look. To their surprise, they found out that one of the mice was blind and could not see anything, and the other one was trying to allow the blind mouse to bite on his tail so that he could pull the blind one with him to escape.

Having witnessed what had happened, everyone was speechless and lost in thought. During the lunchtime, the group of people sat down in a circle and started to chat about the two mice.

The group leader said, “I think the relationship between those two mice was that of emperor and minister.” The others thought for a while and said, “That’s why!” An Israeli said, “I think the relationship between them was husband and wife.” The others all felt it made sense, so they expressed agreement. Then a Chinese, who was accustomed to the firm tradition of respecting elderly people, said, “I think the relationship between them was that of mother and son.” The others thought this was more reasonable. So they expressed agreement yet another time. At that moment, a Samaritan who was squatting on the ground, confusedly looked at his workmates, and asked, “Why did those two mice have to have a certain relationship?” Suddenly the atmosphere froze. Surprised, they all looked at each other and remained speechless.

The story may not be true, but it has the power to set us thinking a lot. Our ways of thinking seem never able to jump out of an invisible box. Why did they have to be in a certain relationship? Without such personal immediate interest or blood relation, would you still give a helping hand when somebody is obviously in trouble or even in danger? In fact, true love is not established on benefit, friendship or blood relation. Instead, it is based on no relationship.