Two Monks and a Woman

Two monks were traveling together and came to a river with a raging current. A young woman stood alongside the bank. She was afraid to cross, so she asked the monks if they would help.

The monks looked at each other, wondering what to do next. They had taken vows to never touch a woman.

Finally, one of the monks lifted the young woman and carried her across the river. When he returned, both monks continued their journey.

Hours went by without so much a word between them.

One of the monks could no longer remain silent. “As monks, we took a vow to never touch a woman, yet you carried the young lady across the river in your arms!” he said.

“I left the girl on the other side of the river, why are you still carrying her?” said the other.