The Meal

Several Zen masters had converged upon the temple at one time. A new cook had only recently begun to prepared meals there and he was very nervous about having such dignitaries staying there and eating his food. Knowing all the masters were strict vegetarians, he sent his helpers into the garden of the temple to gather fresh cuttings for the evening meal. He went himself to help with the collection. Unbeknown to any of them, a snake lived in the vegetable garden and one of the temple workers picked it up along with some of the gatherings in the baskets for the evening meal.

The various vegetables were cut, chop and diced, along with the snake, and the food presented to the guests. Everyone raved about the wonderful meal, the freshness of the food, and the unique favors. At one point though, one of the masters encountered the snake's head in his bowl. Holding it up, he said, "What is this?"

The head cook stepped forward. "That is mine. Thank you. I wondered where he had gone."