Sounds of Silence

Jeevan Sivasubramaniam Posted by Jeevan Sivasubramaniam, Managing Director, Editorial, Berrett-Koehler Publishers Inc.



A man joins a monastery and although he takes a vow of silence, he is permitted to say two words every seven years.

A man joins a monastery and although he takes a vow of silence, he is permitted to say two words every seven years.

After the first seven years have passed, the elders bring him in and ask him for his two words.

"Cold floors," he says. The elders nod and send him away.

After seven more years, they bring him in and ask for his two words.

"Lousy food," he mumbles. Again, the elders nod and send him away.

Another seven years pass and the elders bring him in and once more ask him for his two words.

"I quit," he says, clearing his throat.

"We're not surprised," says one of the elders, "you've done nothing but complain since you got here."


Moral of the Story: Everything is relative.