There was once a university professor who sprinkled his lectures with personal reflections that invariably began with, “As I was walking in my garden, it occurred to me that…” Over and over he passed on to his students thoughts that his garden had inspired.

One day he invited two of his most promising students to visit him at home, and over a cup of coffee the students asked to see his garden. To their amazement it was only a narrow strip, barely wider than the walkway, with the house on one side and a high wall on the other.

“Is this really the garden where you have all those inspiring thoughts, Doctor?” one of the students asked.

“Yes,” came the professor’s reply.

“But it’s so small!” protested the student.

“Ah, yes,” said the professor, a twinkle in his eye as he gestured toward the sky, “but look how high it is!” ∏