4 Monks

A Zen Koan.

Four monks decided to meditate silently without speaking for two weeks. They lit a candle as a symbol of their practice and began. By nightfall on the first day, the candle flickered and then went out.

The first monk said — “Oh, no! The candle is out.”

The second monk said — “We’re not supposed to talk!”

The third monk said — “Why must you two break the silence?”

The fourth monk laughed and said — “Ha! I’m the only one who didn’t speak.”