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."

My Thoughts: The rule of monastery was to follow silence. Silence was the only powerful language which is used by monks to communicate the TRUTH. Rule of monastery was not only to maintain external silence. It was for internal silence too....i.e., your thoughts must be still...without any thoughts (see A Cup Of Tea for more understanding on this), you must only listen. Young monk was not aware of this state of being silent internally. His thoughts were preoccupied with lot of discomforts he felt. That was why he was continuously complaining. He only followed the external silence rule but did not realize that it was to be followed internally too.