The priest Ikkyu did not live once upon a time. He lived from 1394 to 1481, and was well known as a "wild and ragged" Zen poet. Even as a boy, when he was still learning to be a priest in the Ankokuji temple, he was known as a very clever child.

It happened that an important man whose castle was near Ankokuji was also considered very witty. One day he decided to teach Ikkyu a lesson, and sent a message asking the old priest of the temple bring Ikkyu to call on him.

As they walked toward the castle, the old priest warned Ikkyu: "Try not to say anything that will embarrass me. Don't say anything that will get you into trouble. In fact, it would be best if you didn't say anything at all."

Ikkyu just bowed as he walked, and didn't try to say anything clever to the old priest.

When they arrived, they were shown into a large hall where the lord of the castle sat with some favorite retainers. They were in front of a large Korean screen painted with bamboos and a tiger. The visitors bowed, and Ikkyu sat quietly while the old priest thanked the lord for his gifts to the temple.

After a few minutes of conversation with the old priest, the lord of the castle spoke to Ikkyu.

"I have a problem, Ikkyu. Can you help me?"

"I will certainly do whatever I can."

"I have had great trouble sleeping through the night."

Ikkyu smiled, and bowed without speaking.

"I have been kept awake by a loud roaring."

The old priest looked at the tiger screen and immediately saw the lord's joke. But Ikkyu just bowed again.

Finally the lord said it was a tiger's roar, and all the retainers laughed. But Ikkyu jumped up, said he'd be glad to help, and asked for a strong rope. Everyone kept laughing at Ikkyu, but a servant brought a rope. Ikkyu went to the veranda, made a large loop in the rope, tucked up his sleeves, then jumped to the ground and called back to the lord of the castle.

"All right, I'm ready now. I'll catch the tiger as soon as you chase him out into the garden."

This time the lord laughed loudly. He helped Ikkyu back into the hall, then loaded him and the old priest with gifts to take back to the temple.