transcription of anecdote by John Cage, presumably plagiarized

A young man in Japan arranged his circumstances so that he was able to travel to a distant island to study Zen with a certain master for a three-year period. At the end of three years, feeling no sense of accomplishment, he presented himself to the Master and announced his departure. The master said, "You've been here three years. Why don't you stay three months more?"

John Cage, preparing a piano

The student agreed, but at the end of the three months he still felt like he had made no advance. When he told the Master again that he was leaving, the Master said, "Look now you've been here three years and three months. Stay three weeks longer."

Arnold Schoenberg, in front of a blackboard in Los Angeles

The student did, but with no success. When he told the Master that absolutely nothing had happened, the Master said, "You've been here three years, three months, and three weeks. Stay three more days, and if, at the end of that time, you have not attained enlightenment, commit suicide."

Daisetz Suzuki, with a kitten

Towards the end of the second day, the student was enlightened.

(transcribed from Silence)