Care or carry?

A Zen parable tells the story of two monks who are walking in silence together when they come upon a large, muddy river. There they see an attractive young woman struggling to climb up a muddy riverbank. One of the monks picks her up, lifts her, and carries her , putting her down safely.

The monks continue on their way in silence, until they reach the monastery. At nightfall, the other monk finally blurts out, “How could you have done that? We aren’t allowed to look at, let alone touch a woman! What have you done?”

“Friend” the other monk said quietly. “I let go of her at the riverbank. But you- you are still carrying her.”