I left the girl there...
- a Zen story
Two young monks were once traveling together down a muddy road. A heavy rain was falling.
As they came around a bend, they met a lovely girl in a silk kimono and sash, unable to cross at an intersection.
"Come on, girl," said the first monk at once. Lifting her in his arms, he carried her over the mud.
The second monk did not speak until that night when they reached a lodging temple. The he could no longer restrain himself. "We monks don't go near females," he told the first monk, "especially not young and lovely ones. It is dangerous. Why did you do that?"
"I left the girl there," said the first monk. "Are you still carrying her?"
