The Laughing Master

There once was a Master Mason that left his lodge to travel and work. He had no desire to teach apprentices or craftsmen. Instead he worked right along side of them, laughing and joking all the while. He was widely known as the Laughing Master.

Another Master Mason heard about him and went to watch him at work on a new shrine. He watched the brother joking and laughing with the apprentices and craftsmen, apparently not taking anything very seriously. Finally, he approached and inquired: “What is the meaning of Masonry?”

The Laughing Master immediately dropped his tools to the ground and stood in silence.

“Then,” asked the other, “what is the actualization of Masonry?”

At once the Laughing Master snatched up his tools and went back to work while joyously fraternizing with the apprentices and craftsmen.