Seven Years

By Thomas Caterer

The monk had kept a vow of silence for seven years;
chastity, and poverty as well
The adventurer stumbled upon him in his cave
stumbled is right, as he moved too eagerly
A rock from above loosened

‘Ow shit!’ exclaimed the monk
The rock had fallen on his big toe
The adventurer turned as red as paprika
‘I’ve kept silent for seven years till now!’

‘Oh Christ, I’m so sorry’ mumbled the adventurer
The monk smiled as he nursed his red toe
‘It’s my fault’ he said
‘I left my toe where your rock was going to fall’

‘It’s not my rock’ the flustered adventurer protested
The monk replied ‘the rock fell because of you, you are
the rock as far as I’m concerned’

‘How can I make it up to you?’ the adventurer asked in full earnest
‘Let me join in your adventure there Rocky’ said the monk
‘Umm yes of course wise one’ the newly christened Rocky replied
feeling quite astonished

The monk stood up and brandished his finger
‘just make sure we talk non-stop for seven years,
for I have learnt so much from thinking nothing for seven years
I don’t know where to begin’
Rocky nodded his obeisance

‘One more thing’ the monk said wagging his finger
‘I’ve not drunk or smoked a thing for seven years either,
that rucksack of yours best be well-provisioned’

Wow thought Rocky he is as wise as legends foretold