Tanzan and Ekido were traveling together down a muddy road. They came upon a lovely girl in a silk kimono, unable to cross at an intersection. “Come on, girl,” said Tanzan at once. Lifting her in his arms, he carried her over the mud.
Ekido did not speak until that night. Then he could no longer restrain himself. “We monks don’t go near females,” he said, “especially not young and lovely ones. It is dangerous. Why did you do that?”
“I left the girl there,” said Tanzan. “Are you still carrying her?”