A pilgrim was walking a long road one day

when he passed by what seemed to be a monk 

sitting in a field.  Nearby men were working 

on a stone building.

"You look like a monk," the pilgrim said.

"I am that," said the monk.

"Who is that working on the abbey?"

"My monks," he said, "I am the abbot."

"It is good to see a monastery going up these days," said the pilgrim.

"As a matter of fact, they're tearing it down," said the abbot.

"Whatever for?" asked the pilgrim.

"So that we can see the sun rise at dawn," said the abbot