Short story: The swami's long hair, and long beard, had a reason for their long length.

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The renowned spiritual master, Swami, Rokonunda, had a very long beard, and long hair as well. A would-be student before he could become a student of this master, was requested to ask of the master one question, and only one. The master would either accept them, or reject them, based on the nature, and quality of their question. One would-be student asked him a fairly simple question, this one: "Why do you grow both your beard, and your hair, so long, and is there a spiritual reason behind your doing of that?" The master, smiled, as he answered him: "Well, that is three questions, which one would you like me to answer?" "The last one." the student blurted out. "Ah," the master said, "What is the spiritual reason, for me having long hair, and a long beard?" "Now, that is still two questions too, but I will answer both of them for you here, today." "In fact, I will answer the third question for you too, as I have warmed to your questions, which no other student has ever asked me before." "Now, the reason that I have both long hair, and a long beard, is to keep my neck warm." "The spiritual reason behind my having both long hair and a long beard, is to remind me that in life, the long journey is not complete, until the fat barber cuts your hair." "The fat barber is God." "Life is not over until the fat barber cuts." "This is also where that other famous saying comes from about the fat lady singing." "Now, how does that one go exactly, now?" "It ain't over till the fat lady sings." "And, I want God to take a long time over me, in cutting both my hair, and my beard," he said. Photo Credit: The photo used in this article was sourced from the free media site, pixabay.com The swami wanted to spend extra time, with the fat barber, when he died.