There Was Once A Monk Who Joined A Very Strict ...

There was once a monk who joined a very strict monastic order. In fact, they were so strict that the monks had to take a vow of silence which could only be broken every five years, and then only with two words. After his first five years, the monk went to see the abbot for his two-word interview. The abbot said, “My son, you have been with us for five years now; what two words would you like to say?”

The monk said, “Bed hard.”

“I see,” the abbot said. “You are excused.”

After five more years, the monk went in again to see the abbot. The abbot asked the monk, “So you have been with us ten years now. What two words would you like to say?”

The monk answered, “Food bad.”

“I see,” said the abbot. “You are excused.”

After five more years, fifteen in all, the man appeared before the abbot one more time. Again the abbot asked, “What two words would you like to say?”

The monk replied, “I quit.”

The abbot responded,” Well, I’m not surprised. All you’ve done since you got here is complain!”