The Recommended Approach

A certain monk heard that master Suku knew the secret of designing code for maximum reusability. But whenever the monk begged the master to share her wisdom, Suku only walked away. Exasperated, the monk asked one of Suku’s three apprentices for help.

“To learn the master’s great secret, you must approach her correctly,” explained the apprentice. “Come; I shall assist you.”

The apprentice gave the monk special ceremonial robes, which were several sizes too large and had to be wound twice around his arms and legs. To keep the robes from unraveling the apprentice tied a long sash tightly around the monk’s body from wrists to ankles. When the monk protested that walking was now impossible, the apprentice only nodded, saying that the monk was meant to approach Suku on his belly, with his head low and his feet high.

Angrily the monk writhed slowly down the corridor on his stomach, cursing Suku and wondering whether any information could possibly be worth such ridiculous effort.

At this thought, the monk was suddenly enlightened.

Qi’s commentary

Some masters answer a question with a single gesture; Suku answered without even being asked. The master has a most efficient API indeed, for she returns a usable value even when her function is not called.

Qi’s poem

The general wanted a mount that could cross the Empire.
The groom delivered only a plush saddle.
Many fine horses stumble on stony roads—
Sometimes even a general should think with his posterior.