The Wise Sage

One day, a wise sage once told me, "Young one, you must not follow the ideas I set before you."
The sage came the next day and told me again, "Young one, you must not follow the ideas I tell you."
I was confused, so I asked the sage, "Why sage? Why must I not follow your ideas? I have often looked upon the stars above me and the ground below me and didn't understand why they are so. So I came to you."
He looked at me and without obvious emotion, "Young one, you are foolish. You do not need to know why there are stars in the sky, only that they are beautiful. Come to me tomorrow and I shall show you this."
I left the sage, and continued up the mountain with the luscious pink blossom cheery trees and the pale setting mountains in the distance. I pondered on the sage's answer, and went to sleep.
A few hours later into the next day, I climbed up the mountain and saw the sage smoking his pipe, his eyes distant and set on the stars above us.
"Sage, I apologise for what I have done wrong. Forgive me."
He turned around slowly and looked at me, "You need not forgiveness young one. Sit."
I sat down as commanded and watched him.
"Look at the sky above you," He spoke and we both gazed up into the vast distance, "What do you see?"
"I see the stars." I replied.
He smiled at me humourously, "How many stars do you see?"
"Why, I cannot count them sage."
"Exactly. This is the number of paths you may choose in life and all of them are open to you. Stars may fade, but many are being created every day. Which star have you been following, young one?"
"Sage, I have been following the North Star and it has led me to you." I answered truthfully.
"Then it is time you follow another. Do you see that star?" With his hand, the sage pointed to a shining light in the distance: a new star.
"I do."
"It is the star of life, young one."
I looked at him and he looked at me, and at once I understood. The sage and I sat together and I pointed at the star with my finger.
And in my ear, I heard a vaguely audible sound, "And it's all yours."