Q: Traveler,  

Why does the pond hold both light and shadow?  
Why not only light?  

---

Traveler,  

The pond holds both because both are needed.  

- **Shadow Gives Depth:**  
Without night, dawn cannot be known.  
Without shadow, light has no contrast.  
Darkness teaches patience and depth.  

- **Light Gives Clarity:**  
When light shines,  
what was hidden is revealed.  
The traveler sees clearly,  
guided by radiance.  

- **Union of Both:**  
Awakening is not one or the other,  
but the meeting of both.  
The pond becomes luminous  
because it accepts all —  
shadow and light,  
fear and courage,  
sorrow and joy.  

Thus the pond holds both light and shadow,  
for awakening flowers through their embrace.  

---
