Friday, October 5, 2012

99 ~zen story

JUST TWO WORDS


There once was a monastery that was very strict. Following a vow of silence, no one was allowed to speak at all. But there was one exception to this rule. Every ten years, the monks were permitted to speak just two words. After spending his first ten years at the monastery, one monk went to the head monk. “It has been ten years,” said the head monk. “What are the two words you would like to speak?”

“Bed… hard…” said the monk.

“I see,” replied the head monk.

Ten years later, the monk returned to the head monk’s office. “It has been ten more years,” said the head monk. “What are the two words you would like to speak?”

“Food…stinks…” said the monk.

“I see,” replied the head monk.

Yet another ten years passed and the monk once again met with the head monk who asked, “What are your two words now, after these ten years?”

“I…quit!” said the monk.

“Well, I can see why,” replied the head monk. “All you ever do is complain.”


—Zen stories to tell your neighbors, John R Suler.


 *****


Click to order  I say Who, What, and Where!
an inspirational novel about the courage to be oneself freely.

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a thought-provoking novel about infatuation.

Copyright © 2012 by THE PYTHAGOREAN STORYTELLER. All rights reserved.

2 comments:

adele symonds said...

Excellent, you made me smile. I saw the punch line coming but it was still good.

Unknown said...

Adele, I had the same reaction. :)