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.
*****
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Copyright © 2012 by THE PYTHAGOREAN STORYTELLER. All
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2 comments:
Excellent, you made me smile. I saw the punch line coming but it was still good.
Adele, I had the same reaction. :)
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