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."
( This story is a favorite in many western monasteries. It may or may not be
an original Zen tale. Like any good anecdote, it makes us laugh, but also encourages
us to think about why it is funny .)