All Are Wrong

 I don't get your stupid lesson, says Alfonse.

Everyone else does, says Terence.

After you eat something, wash something, says Claudine. It makes sense to me.

It sounds like a Zen Buddhist koan, says Louisa.

Funny that a fur seal would know it, says Perrot.

We get a lot of tourists on KI, says Louisa.

Monks? says Perrot.

Not many, says Louisa. But anyway, even I know a few koans.

Would you like a peanut butter sandwich? asks Perrot. You must be hungry. 

I'd love one, says Louisa.

Go back with Claudine to the car, says Perrot. She'll make it.

Thanks, says Louisa.

She goes off with Claudine.

Perrot sits with Alfonse and Terence, beside the rock pool, waiting for them to come back.

Second Wrongly surfaces.

Okay? asks Second Wrongly.

Yes, says Terence. Now I'm waiting for a sandwich.

I don't do sandwiches, says Second Wrongly.

But you do stupid lessons, says Alfonse. Why would a fur seal tell anyone to wash something?

Such as a bowl? asks Second Wrongly.

Or their hands, if they hadn't used a bowl because they were having a sandwich, says Alfonse.

Did Terence come up with that? asks Second Wrongly.

Yes, says Alfonse.

Well done, Terence, says Second Wrongly. You are ready for the next lesson.

We all are, says Perrot.

You? says Second Wrongly. Have you understood the first one?

Yes, says Perrot. It's a Zen Buddhist koan as I understand it.

Good, says Second Wrongly. Now imagine a flag blowing in the wind. What is moving?

The flag is moving, says Alfonse.

The wind is moving, says Perrot.

It's your mind that is moving, says Louisa, returning with Claudine and a sandwich.

She remembers this answer.

When the mouth opens, all are wrong, says Second Wrongly.

He dives back into the rock pool.

All are wrong! Excellent! 

Terence wishes he'd said it.