There was a scholar named Zhao Xuan who was wholeheartedly determined to achieve fame and success in the imperial examination and bring honor to his ancestors. He buried himself in books every day, turning a blind eye to everything around him. His heart was filled only with the teachings of sages and the pursuit of fame and fortune.

However, after failing the imperial examination several times in a row, Zhao Xuan was filled with frustration and confusion. He began to doubt whether his efforts were meaningful, and he sank into a state of depression.

One day, he happened to meet a wandering Taoist priest in the market. The priest noticed his dejected look and stepped forward to ask, "Young master, why are you so sad?" Zhao Xuan poured out his troubles. After listening, the priest smiled gently and said, "Young master, you are so focused on seeking fame that you have overlooked many of the beauties in life and the existence of Tao." Zhao Xuan asked in confusion, "Reverend, what is Tao? What does it have to do with my pursuit of fame?"

The priest pointed to the bustling crowd and the dazzling array of goods in the market and said, "Look at this market. People trade and get what they need. Tao is contained within. It is in people's interactions and in the daily necessities of life. Your study and literacy are good things, but you should not be bound by fame. Instead, you should understand the way of dealing with people and the world in your studies and perceive the laws of nature and human nature in life."

After hearing this, Zhao Xuan suddenly saw the light. He began to try to let go of his excessive obsession with the imperial examination fame. He walked out of his study, interacted with his neighbors and fellow villagers, helped with household chores, and observed the changes of the four seasons in nature. In this process, he discovered many pleasures and truths that he had never noticed before. He saw the peasants working hard, following the right time and favorable geographical conditions to harvest food; he saw the craftsmen meticulously making utensils, with each step containing ingenuity and skill.

He realized that both reading and the little things in life could be the paths to seeking and understanding Tao. The Tao in Taoist thought is not lofty and unreachable but runs through every aspect of people's daily lives. As long as one feels and comprehends with the heart, one can discover the traces of Tao in ordinary life, treat all things in the world with a peaceful and inclusive attitude, find the inner peace and direction that belongs to oneself, no longer be troubled by a single goal, and make life more fulfilling and meaningful.