Way out East, there lived two priests, and old priest and a young priest. Part of their spiritual learning involved undertaking a 5 day journey - on foot. The day of the journey arrived and the two priests, with a few meagre supplies set off. They hadn't been going for long when they reached a river - which they would have to cross to continue.

At the only safe crossing point, they came upon an old woman who also wanted to cross the river, but, due to her frailty, was unable to do so without help. The old woman looked at the two priests with hope, the young priest turned away, thinking to himself, I CANNOT help this woman, it goes against all the teachings of our holy order, we are not allowed to touch the female form ... no matter what the situation.

As the young priest went to cross, the old priest stepped before him, picked up the old woman, carried her across the river and laid her down on the other side - the old woman, sobbing with gratitude, continued on her way.

The young priest crossed, totally aghast at what he had just witnessed. They continued on their journey. As the young priest walked along behind the other ... "How could he do such a thing ... It goes against everything in our teachings" ... over and over he mulled, shaking his head - but didn't say anything.

All throughout the journey, the disaffected young priest ruminated about what had happened. Eventually, they reached the end of the route and sat down beneath a tree to take some food and water. By now the young priest could hold in his thoughts no more and stood up, glaring at the old priest. . "Back there ... at the river ... how could you do such a thing ... we are taught that touching a woman is forbidden ... I just can't believe what you did"...

The old priest sighed, looked at the younger man and said .. "Yes, I carried the woman across the river ... but you have carried her for the past 5 days ....... "

You may have seen/heard this before, but anyway ...