The masters were funny

Twelve stories that get the laugh first and land afterwards.

Every tradition that points at this thing keeps a comedian on staff. A mullah looking for his key in the wrong place, a professor with an overflowing teacup, a man on a train who will not put his suitcase down. Twelve of them, one at a time, told for the joke and then for where the joke leaves you.

12 chapters, read in order.

1. Looking for the key where the light is Nasruddin is on his knees under a streetlamp, and the key is not there, and he knows it.
2. He was smuggling donkeys Every week the border guard searches the straw. Every week the straw is clean. Years later he finally asks.
3. The cup was already full A professor comes to ask about Zen. The tea goes over the rim and keeps going.
4. Not the wind, not the flag Two monks argue about a banner. A stranger settles it in one line and gets the abbot's job.
5. Who is dreaming the butterfly Zhuangzi wakes up from being a butterfly and does not rush to sort out which one he is.
6. How do you know the fish are happy Two philosophers on a bridge. One of them wins the argument by cheating, beautifully.
7. Put the suitcase down A man on a moving train keeps his luggage on his head. The train is carrying both of you either way.
8. You were never born A visitor asks a cigarette seller in Bombay what happens after death, and gets the question moved.
9. Tea with the demon Milarepa comes home to a cave full of demons and tries everything, in the wrong order.
10. Why were you not Zusya A rabbi on his deathbed is afraid of the wrong question, then of the right one.
11. Go and sit in your room A desert father is asked for a word. He gives the shortest possible instruction and no explanation.
12. If you meet the Buddha The most violent line in Zen is a warning about souvenirs.