To Kill two birds with one StoneMy second dilemma concerns a second set of two chickens, however these chickens are alive and even more troublesome. These two chickens, apparently vagabonds of some kind, wandered onto the grounds of the monastery earlier today.
They were drunk and rowdy, and disturbed many of the other monks during post-breakfast meditation.
I asked them kindly to leave us in peace and find refuge elsewhere, but they refused and became belligerent.
They both swung their wings at me as if to punch me, but fortunately they were quite drunk and immediately fell, unconscious, to the ground.
As they were comatose, I quickly grabbed them by their talons, placed them outside the monastery walls, and locked the gate.
However, they both regained consciousness mere minutes later, and since then, have been trying in vain to fly over the gate.
To make matters worse, they seem even more belligerent, and their drunken vulgarity continues to disturb our meditations.
“So I ask you, wise Master, what is the correct path of action?”
To which Lao Tzen Tzang replied:
“By killing two birds with one stone, you shall kill two birds with one stone.”
“And how shall I do that?” asked the pupil.
You must find the biggest stone in the garden. Also a twelve foot ladder.
Take these to the front gate, and carry the stone to the top of the ladder.
When the chickens are not looking, drop the stone on top of them.
Then cook them for supper.
“But, Master, what if the stone is too heavy to carry up the ladder?”
“Then you must find a slightly smaller stone that is not as heavy.”
“But, master, what if none of the stones are big enough to kill both chickens in one fell swoop?”
“Then find a stone you can fit in your hand.
Aim for one chicken and throw the stone in a sidearm motion, as you might throw a curveball.
The stone should ricochet off of the first chicken and hit the second chicken as well.”
The pupil followed his master’s advice but, alas, once again proved himself grossly incompetent.
He carried a large stone to the top of a ladder placed next to the front gate, but just as he was about to drop it, one of the chickens flew up and pecked him in the eye.
The young monk lost his balance and fell, dropping the rock on his own face.
Though as dumb luck would have it, the chickens saw this and laughed until they choked to death on their own vomit.
The young monk may have lost several teeth, but that didn’t prevent him from cooking and eating a delectable sesame chicken supper.
And for the first and second times in history, two birds were killed with one stone. Also a ladder.
Originally shared by Shen Yun Official AccountIdiom: Shooting Two Hawks with One Arrow 一 箭双雕
In the West, we say "to kill two birds with one stone," but in ancient China, archery was the way to go.
Meet Zhang Sunsheng: a well-trusted strategist and a talented archer from China’s Northern and Southern dynasties (420-589 C.E). Zhang was charged with escorting a princess to the northwest, where she would be married off to the neighboring Turkish clan. While in the Turkish kingdom, the king became so impressed by Zhang’s archery skills that he invited Zhang stay as a special guest of honor. Thus, Zhang spent the next year on holiday, and often accompanied the Turkish king on his hunting expeditions.
One day, the pair spotted two hawks flying overhead, squabbling over a piece of meat. The king handed Zhang two arrows and asked him to take down the intimidating raptors, one after the other. Zhang carefully strung his bow, aimed closely at his first target, and let go. But much to even his surprise, he struck both birds in one stroke, accomplishing his task with only half the effort.
Now that’s what we call efficiency!
