A young man presented himself to a local expert on gems and said he wanted to become a gemologist. The expert brushed him off because he feared that the youth would not have the patience to learn. The young man pleaded for a chance. Finally the expert consented and told the youth,”be here tomorrow”

The next morning the expert put a jade stone in the boy’s hand and told him to hold it. The expert then went about his work, cutting, weighing, and setting gems. The boy sat quietly and waited.

The following morning the expert again placed the jade stone in the youth’s hand and told him to hold it. On the third and the fourth, fifth day, the expert repeated the same exercise and the instructions.

On the sixth day the youth held the jade stone, but no longer stand the silence. “Master,” he asked “when am I going to learn something?’

“You will learn.”

The expert replied and went on about his business.

Several more days went by and the youth is frustrated. One morning as the expert approached and beckoned for him to hold out his hand, he was about to blurt out that he could go on no longer.. but as the master placed the stone in the youth’s hand, the young man exclaimed without looking at his hand,” this is not the same jade stone”

“you have began to learn” said the master.