THE MONK AND THE SAMURAI
lyrics (c) 1995 Nancy Ellen Abrams
(music by Ludwig van Beethoven)

A young Samurai stopped a Zen Buddhist monk
In the market buying rice
His voice a dare, the warrior said, "Show me where
Are your fanciful hell and paradise!"

"You are far too blind
To see," the monk said
"And your sword is so dull and dirty
You could not even cut off my head"

In fury the Samurai raised his sword
"Here open the gates of hell"
Said the monk, and he saw--the Samurai saw
And to his knees he fell

Reaching out, he grasped the hem of the monk's dusty robe
"Master," he cried, "you have cleared my eyes!"
The monk looked down and smiling said
"Here open the gates of paradise"