Is that so?

The Zen Master Hakuin was honored by his neighbors as on who led a pure life. One day it was discovered that a beautiful girl who lived near Hakuin was pregnant. The parents were very angry. At first the girl would not say who the father was, but after much harassment she named Hakuin. In great anger the parents went to Hakuin, but all he

would say was, “Is that so?”

After the child was born it was taken to Hakuin – who had lost his reputation by this time, although he didn’t seem much disturbed by the fact.

Hakuin took great care of the child. He obtained milk, food, and everything else the child needed from his neighbors.

A year later the girl-mother could stand it no longer, so she told her parents the truth – the real father was a young man who worked in the fish market. The mother and father of the girl went round at once to Hakuin to tell him the story, apologize at great length, ask his forgiveness and get the child back.

As the master willingly yielded the child he said, “Is that so?”