Two Monks Cross The River

Two monks were wandering around the countryside preaching. One was an older and wiser monk, the other his understudy.

As they reached the bank of a river, there stood a lovely and pretty maiden, scantily clad, wanting to cross, but looking for help. As the monks order was strictly to avoid the pleasures of the flesh, the younger monk quickly averted his gaze and refused to even look at the woman.

The older monk however, went over to offer his help. He swiftly lifted the woman on to his shoulders, and carried her across the river. He gently set her down safely on the other side, while the younger monk looked on with astonishment and surprise, and ofcourse, rebuke.

He did not say anything however, but the incident plagued his mind for the next two days. Finally, troubled to the core, he broached the subject. He asked his superior "How can you, a man of God, have ever done such a sinful thing, by carrying that woman across the river, when you are not even supposed to touch a woman".

The older monk replied:

"I set the woman down on the bank of the river.

You are still carrying her around".