Chinese Folktale: Three Monks, No Water

In union there is strength.
Mahatma Gandhi

Three Monks, No Water is based on the ancient Chinese proverb "One monk will shoulder two buckets of water, two monks will share the load, but add a third and no one will want to fetch water." The proverb is close in meaning to the saying "Let George do it," wryly noting how individuals shirk group responsibilities. 

A young monk lives a simple life in a temple on top of a hill. He has one daily task of hauling two buckets of water up the hill. When a second monk joins him, they share the task, with diminished efficiency. After the arrival of a third monk, no one fetches water though everybody is thirsty. 

At night, a rat comes to scrounge and then knocks the candleholder, leading to a devastating fire in the temple. The three monks finally unite together and make a concerted effort to put out the fire. Since then they understand the old saying "unity is strength" and begin to live a harmonious life. The temple never lacks water again. 

This story teaches a gentle, humorous lesson about responsibility, while the phrase Three Monks, No Water becomes a Chinese expression trotted out when children try to avoid chores. 


Selfishness is the greatest vice in human character.We become so selfish that we start neglecting our basic duties.This leads us on a path of destruction.

To be united is the key to success.If we are selfish of one another then the whole humanity is bound to suffer.Instead if we help one another and go on doing our duties without being jealous of others we all will reap the benefits together.

Unity is strength, petty selfish squabble makes you weak is the moral of the story.