Tanzan and Ekido 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 Tanzan at once. Lifting her in his arms, he carried
her over the mud.
Ekido 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 Tanzan, "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?"
