laughing monk

When the Master was a boy at school, a classmate treated him with persistent cruelty.

Now, older and contrite, the former classmate came to the monastery and was received with open arms.

One day he brought up the subject of his former cruelty, but the Master seemed not to recall it.

Said the visitor, "Don't you remember?"

Said the Master, "I distinctly remember forgetting it!" And they both melted in innocent laughter.