Out Today

 

Once the Master closed his gate and on it pasted a sign that read, "Out Today," meanwhile sauntering back and forth in his front yard.

Once a certain samurai official of his acquaintance passed by and, noticing the Master, went to open the gate and greeted him. "Your Reverence," he called ou, " I haven't seen you in some time. How have you been?"

In reply, Sengai merely pointed to the sing and told the samurai, "Please read what it says."

"But, Your reverence," the samurai pleaded, "you 're here, aren't you? You must just be kidding."

Sengai dismissed him with a wave of his hand. "That sign," he reminded the samurai, "says I'm out. It's true as anything can be."