Safety

A monk of the Laughing Monkey Clan was well acquainted with the software produced by the Charitable Temple of the Bristling Yak, and he wished to use one of their modules for his latest project. But the clan’s own code repository was under heavy guard, and the monk had to obtain the permission of the monastery’s hierarchy to consume any third-party software.

The head priest of his clan was willing to allow the module, but under one condition only: a wrapper class must first be produced by the priesthood. All access to the module would be done through the wrapper.

Said the priest, “This will ensure that you do not make use of features which are too complex for your abilities. And there is an added benefit: if we ever deem the Bristling Yak’s implementation to be inadequate, our priesthood will be able to substitute another module for the wrapper’s back end, and no one using the wrapper will be inconvenienced by the change.”

The monk bowed and reported this exchange to the Java master.

The Java master called upon the priest, and suggested that they ride together up into the mountains, there to meditate on the best way to construct this wrapper.

“You drive,” said the master.

They seated themselves in the priest’s car, whereupon the priest frowned.

“The tuning dial for my radio appears to have been stolen,” said the priest.

“That is good,” said the Java master. “Music would be a perilous distraction on the narrow roads.”

“Also, the knobs for the air conditioning,” said the priest.

“Excellent!” said the Java master. “Chill air exacerbates rheumatism, and causes disease of the bowels.”

The priest turned the ignition key, and was answered by silence. He left his seat to investigate.

“Additionally,” said the priest, “it appears that the hood has been welded shut.”

“Will your good fortunes never cease!” cried the Java master. “Now it is certain that no one may damage the engine. And should the color of the tires ever prove unsatisfying, I expect that they may be replaced with no discernable effect upon the smoothness of the ride.”