The Two Monks

A retelling of a Zen story, imagined beside Alrewaq’s Stream.

Two monks walked together after the rain.

At the stream, a woman could not cross. The older monk carried her to the other side.

Their vows discouraged such contact. The younger monk said nothing. But he kept thinking about it.

Hours later, he asked: “Why did you carry that woman?”

“I put her down hours ago. Why are you still carrying her?”