From Osho: An Ode to the Smartest Man in the World

Once upon a time Osho tells a very funny story whose time may have come again given Elon Musk’s recent elevation to the status of leading authority on practically everything — including “the smartest man in the world.”

“Richard Nixon, Henry Kissinger, a Catholic priest, and a hippie were riding in a small airplane when the landing gear fell off.
“The panic-stricken pilot rushed out of the cockpit. ‘I’m sorry, boys, this plane’s not going to make it. There are only four parachutes and as I’m the captain I get one.’
“He grabbed a parachute and jumped out.
“Richard Nixon stood up and said, ‘I’m the President; the nation needs me — sorry, gentlemen…’ He grabbed a parachute and jumped.
“Henry Kissinger jumped up shouting, ‘I’m the smartest man in the world! The world cannot afford such a sacrifice!’ He grabbed a parachute and jumped out.
“The priest spoke next: ‘My son, you are still young — take the last one.’
“‘Don’t worry, father,’ the hippie said. ‘There is a parachute for each of us — the smartest man in the world just jumped out with my backpack.’”

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Excerpted from: Osho, Walking in Zen, Sitting in Zen, Talk #12 — Seeing Is Transformation

This article is published in The Osho Times