A popular rumor at the monastery was that of the ‘Flame Jab.’
They said the head abbot knew a secret martial arts technique so powerful it set the very air on fire, but he would only teach it to a worthy successor. The rumor had been around for as long as anyone could remember, and someone always told it to each new class of initiates.
Their instructors let this impropriety slip because even though it encouraged worldly desire and impure thought, it also encouraged correct actions and helped establish good habits.
Besides, one never knew if it might be true.

“Bhutan – Taktsang Monastery ‘Tiger´s nest’” by Göran Höglund (Kartläsarn) is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Everyday Drabbles © 2026 by Hugh J. O’Donnell is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

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