Fables 2: Stones

Two monks (there must obviously be an abundance of them at the same place these fables originate) came across this garden, littered with the prettiest of stones.

Monk Number Three (for Monks Number One and Number Two are still crossing the river) excitedly exclaimed that they should take full advantage of the rare fortune of chancing upon such a magical garden, and gather the most enchanting stones. Monk Number Four readily agreed, and they set upon the garden with great fervor.

Soon it was clear to them that it would be better to split up, for it would take far less time to cover the whole garden. After agreeing to meet back at the temple after a specified time, they each went their separate ways.

After an hour, however, Monk Number Three was close to exhuastion. His bag bulged with pretty stones, for he was picking up almost every stone he came across. Typically, he would stop to examine a stone that caught his eye, but finding it too difficult to decide whether to keep it or not, he would simply add the stone to his collection and move on.

Finally, upon the arrival of the specified hour, Monk Number Three threw his bag on the ground with disappointment. "I'll never be able to carry all this back to the temple!" he exclaimed. Sorely, he turned and headed for the temple, with every intention of seeking help to transport his valuable stones.

Imagine his surprise when he reached the temple and found Monk Number Four already there!

"Why, Monk Number Four, I do not see your bag of stones anywhere about you. Did you manage to bring back all the stones you wanted?"

Smiling, Monk Number Four reached into his pocket and withdrew three exquisite stones, beautiful in their own right but similar to the other stones in the garden.

Incredulous, Monk Number Three asked, "Is that all you brought back? There were countless stones of beauty, and you only brought back three?"

Serenely, Monk Number Four said, "I figured that I would never be able to bring back every single stone I desired. The choice was difficult, but I chose the stones that I thought were the most valuable to me, and brought them back.

"Where are your stones, by the way?"