Word Zendo

[FreakyBoy]

The Master sighs. "The FB nature is not so complex, my students. You are over thinking it." CCC's cane is taken. "The towel, after you have used it to dry yourself, contains the FB nature. Few would say this used towel 'consists' of any part water."

[AlternateTorg]

The Master smiles upon CCC. "You gain wisdom, young man... and a point."

Snakes, eels and especially worms were problematic. I'd heard of snakes having tails before, so I went with "yes" for them. When I was asked whether an eel had the AT nature, I wasn't sure. When I looked it up, I saw that part of the eel is referred to as the tail fin, so I presumed that the eel must be considered to have a tail. The worm was the toughest at all. Reading about worms, I couldn't really see anything suggesting they had tails, so I felt I had to answer "no." When it began to be clear that this was probably tripping people up, I decided that I'd better point out that the worm one was a little ambiguous.

"I have a new rule for my students, and two new koans. Love has the AlternateTorg nature. A fence post does not."

[drachefly]

Summary
Has: serpent, eel, lizard, fox, T. rex, binturong, cow, eagle, dragon
Has not: tree, worm, frog, saw

...
I believe that a thing has the AlternateTorg nature if it has a tail.

Serpent and eel but not worm? If it's tailitude, AT could have been a mite more consistent.

[AlternateTorg]

See the previous post explaining my dilemma.

[Grillick]

A new Master steps into the circle.

"A jaguar has the Grillick nature. A gryphon does not."

[drachefly]

See the previous post explaining my dilemma.

Super-slow-ninja-d!

Master, I believe that a Mockingbird has Grillick nature.

[Grillick]

No, child, a mockingbird lacks the Grillick nature.

Has:
jaguar

Lacks:
gryphon
mockingbird

[Steave]

The ostrich and the pelican both lack the Steave nature.

[drachefly]

No, child, a mockingbird lacks the Grillick nature.

Has:
jaguar

Lacks:
gryphon
mockingbird

I believe a lump of coal has Grillick nature.

[FreakyBoy]

Given how difficult the AT and FB natures seem to be, are there any suggestions on what a Master should do when the students seem completely stumped?

[AlternateTorg]

Given how difficult the AT and FB natures seem to be, are there any suggestions on what a Master should do when the students seem completely stumped?

My original rule has been solved by CCC: A thing has the AT nature if it has a tail. My new rule has the following initial koans: Love has the AlternateTorg nature. A fence post does not.

A Master should wish to enlighten his students, not completely baffle them. Therefore, if his students are stumped, he should offer them with a hint. For example, the Master could offer up a koan which might shed light on a sticking point that the students appear to be overlooking.

[FreakyBoy]

The FB nature is transitory; the towel, before use, lacks it. After use, the used towel possesses it - but after a time, it shall once again lack it.

[Grillick]

Drachefly, a lump of coal lacks the Grillick nature.

Has:
jaguar

Lacks:
gryphon
mockingbird
coal

[drachefly]

Well, then, I believe a camel has Grillick nature

[Grillick]

No, child. A camel lacks the Grillick nature.

Has:
jaguar

Lacks:
gryphon
mockingbird
coal
camel

Master, I believe that slush and my hair after my shower have the FB nature