A man approached the Master,
mind sincere, heart confused.
He wanted to serve no other.
“Should we pay the temple tax?”
the disciple asked the teacher.
A reply to the query came slow,
after time taken to ponder.
“Go to the sea and find a fish.
Its mouth will hold your answer.”
The disciple went to the sea as told.
He came there upon a flounder;
in its jaws lodged a surgical mask.
“Taxes be one thing—masks another,”
muttered the disgruntled man,
and left to find a different preacher.