Many pupils were studying meditation under the Zen master, Sen-Gai. One of them used to arise at night, climb over the temple wall, and go to town on a pleasure jaunt.
Sen-Gai, inspecting the dormitory quarters, found this pupil missing one night, and also dis-covered the high stool he had used to scale the wall. Sen-Gai removed the stool and stood there in its place.
When the wanderer returned, not knowing that Sen-Gai was the stool, he put his feet on the master's head and jumped down into the grounds. Discovering what he had done, he was aghast.
Sen-Gai said, "It is very chilly in the early morning. Do be careful not to catch cold yourself."
The pupil never went out at night again.