Enlightenment

An acolyte in an Asian monastery grew dissatisfied with the slow pace of his progress there and determined to make his own way in the world.  The sage who presided called the acolyte in and showed him a fire.  On it he laid a stick.  As it started to catch flame, the sage pushed it away from the main fire, where its flames soon went out.

Another acolyte was content with the teachings there.  The sage called him in also.  He showed a heap of sticks and logs.  Tightly packed, when the sage tried to light the heap, he could not.