The Fooles Troupe Routine

Once I did desire to lead the life of a monk, but was not sure that I could live up to the oath of silence. I had heard of a poor monastery which relaxed habits (sorry!) to some degree, and very eagerly did travel to join the monastery.

When I got there, I did find that they were so poor, (HOW POOR? - SO POOR!) that even their little chapel was in sore need of a coat of paint, and I felt I should stay and help them, but that be another tale.

On the first day, I was disappointed to find that the relaxing of the oath of silence was simply that every morning, the head monk did chant "Mo-o-o-orning," to which all of us other monks did reply "Mo-o-o-orning." Methought this be strange, but I did decide to stay with the monastery anyway.

After several days of this "Mo-o-o-orning" chant, I did become sore tired of it. I betook myself to do something different. The head monk did chant "Mo-o-o-orning," to which all of the other monks did reply "Mo-o-o-orning," except I, who did reply "E-e-e-vening." The head monk did have a puzzled look on his face, but did dismiss us monks to our allotted tasks.

Verily, the next day, I did the same thing again. This time, the head monk did pause afterward, and did try again. He did chant "Mo-o-o-orning," and did hear a room full of "Mo-o-o-orning," except for one "E-e-e-vening." He did repeat this several times, all with the same result. Finally, in exasperation, the head monk did scream,

"SOMEONE CHANTED 'EVENING' !!!!"