The Tale of the Two Monks

The Tale of the Two Monks and the Woman

There were once two monks on a journey to visit a neighboring monastery. They had both taken a vow of celibacy -- promising to never touch a woman; not her skin, not her hair, not even her clothing. One day they came to a stream that had been swollen from heavy rains. Standing there was a young woman, obviously wanting to get to the other side of the stream -- and just as obviously afraid to do so because of the current. The first monk blessed the woman, then started across the stream. The second hitched up his robes, bent down, and took the woman upon his shoulders. He then waded into the stream after his companion. The first monk turned, and, seeing his fellow monk carrying the woman, nearly fell into the water in shock! He was rendered speechless by the sight of his fellow cleric in complete disregard for the sacred vows that they both took as youths! He staggered to the stream bank, shock turning to indignation and anger over the other monk's complete disregard for his religious convictions. The second monk, unsteady under his load, finally made it to dry ground as well, and put the woman back on her own feet. He gave her a blessing and a smile, and, with a wave of his hand (to the woman) and a nod of his head (to his fellow monk), he headed off toward his original destination. After many minutes of stewing in silence, the indignant monk finally blurted out,

"I can't believe you broke your sacred vows and carried that woman across the water!"

"Are you still carrying her?" the second monk asked quietly. "I put her down at the water's edge."