This collection of autobiographical & teaching stories from peace activist & Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh is thought provoking & inspiring. Collected here for the first time, these stories span his life. There are stories from his childhood & the traditions of rural Vietnam. There are stories from his years as a teenage novice, as a young teacher & writer in war torn Vietnam, & of his travels around the world to teach mindfulness, make pilgrimages to sacred sites & influence world leaders. The tradition of Zen teaching stories goes back at least to the time of the Buddha. Like the Buddha, Thich Nhat Hanh uses story-telling to engage people`s interest so he can share important teachings, insights & life lessons.