One day a monk came to a hermit’s cave and addressed him with the following speech:
“Oh, Worthy of Honor, a rumor has spread among our brethren that you earn your living in some unusual way.” Would you be so kind as to tell me what it is?
The hermit grinned and said:
— It’s very simple: I first create a desire, and then fulfill it.
The monk thought about it and asked:
“They say: it’s better to see than to hear.” Can the Worthy One show me how he does it?
“Of course it can,” the hermit answered and grabbed the monk by the throat, so hard that his breath was taken away.
After waiting a little, the hermit asked the monk:
- Do you want to breathe?
Unable to utter a word, the monk showed with signs that he really wanted this. Taking payment for the fulfillment of a wish, the hermit asked the wheezing and coughing monk:
“Perhaps you could advise one of your brethren to learn my craft?”
“Of course, I will advise,” the monk wheezed, mentally recalling his offenders.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru