THE MONKS

AT A MONASTERY HIGH IN THE MOUNTAINS,

THE MONKS HAVE A RIGID VOW OF SILENCE.

ONLY AT CHRISTMAS, AND ONLY BY ONE MONK,

AND ONLY WITH ONE SENTENCE,

IS THE VOW ALLOWED TO BE BROKEN.

ONE CHRISTMAS, BROTHER THOMAS IS

ALLOWED TO SPEAK AND HE SAYS,

"I LIKE THE MASHED POTATOES WE HAVE

WITH THE CHRISTMAS TURKEY!"

AND HE SITS DOWN.

SILENCE ENSUES FOR 365 DAYS.

THE NEXT CHRISTMAS, BROTHER MICHAEL

GETS HIS TURN, AND HE SAYS

"I THINK THE MASHED POTATOES

ARE LUMPY AND I HATE THEM!"

ONCE AGAIN, SILENCE FOR 366 DAYS (IT'S LEAP YEAR).

THE FOLLOWING CHRISTMAS, BROTHER PAUL

RISES AND SAYS,

"I AM FED UP WITH THIS CONSTANT BICKERING!"