"i am in desperate need of help -- or i'll go crazy. we're living in a single room -- my wife, my children and my in-laws. so our nerves are on edge, we yell and scream at one another. the room is a hell."
"do you promise to do whatever i tell you?" said the master gravely.
"i swear i shall do anything."
"very well. how many animals do you have?"
"a cow, a goat and six chickens."
"take them all into the room with you. then come back after a week."
the disciple was appalled. but he had promised to obey! so he took the animals in. a week later he came back, a pitiable figure, moaning, "i'm a nervous wreck. the dirt! the stench! the noise! we're all on the verge of madness!"
