speaking of numbers....

A fellow goes on a retreat to a monastery. At mealtimes he's amazed at one of the rituals: Every so often one of the monks stands up and calls out a number. After a short pause all the other brothers dissolve into laughter.

This goes on for a day or two and the visitor can contain his curiosity no longer. He asks one of the monks what's going on.

He's telling a joke.", replies the monk.

"A joke?", the man asks, "It's just a number!"

"Ah, yes", comes the reply, "You see, we all know each other's jokes so well we've given them all numbers to save having to tell them. So when someone wants to tell a joke they just call out the number; everyone else thinks of the joke and laughs at it"

"That's amazing!", says the visitor. "Do you think I could try?"

"Yes - of course"

So he stands up and calls out "A hundred and twenty seven".

This is greeted by stony silence, save for a few mutterings. Embarrassed, he sits down again.

"What was wrong with that?", he asks.

"Oh", the monk replies "They've heard that one before."




Now, where did I put my coat?

Steve