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."