Three Laughing Monks

By Armaghan Afridi

Once, in ancient China, there lived three monks known simply as the “Three Laughing Monks.” Their names were never revealed because no one ever asked—they were too busy laughing. The monks were well-known throughout the land for their constant laughter, which they shared with everyone they met. They wandered from village to village, bringing smiles and joy wherever they went.

The Three Laughing Monks had a unique way of teaching. They never preached, lectured, or explained spiritual doctrines. Instead, they would enter a village, stand in the marketplace, and start laughing. Their laughter was so contagious that it spread quickly throughout the crowd. Soon, everyone in the village would be laughing with them, from the oldest grandparent to the youngest child.

The monks believed that life’s essence was found in the pure joy of laughter. They thought that by laughing together, people could forget their worries and disputes, at least for a moment, and experience a deeper connection with each other. The Three Laughing Monks were revered because they brought people together without saying a word, just by laughing.

One day, the monks entered a small village nestled in the mountains. As usual, they began to laugh in the town square, and soon the villagers gathered around, joining in. The whole village was filled with laughter, and the monks stayed there for a few days, spreading their joy.

However, after a few days, one of the monks fell ill. His laughter grew weaker until, eventually, he passed away. The villagers, who had come to love the Three Laughing Monks, were saddened. They gathered around the remaining two monks, wondering what they would do now that one of their trio had died.

To everyone’s surprise, the two monks did not stop laughing. In fact, they laughed even louder. The villagers were puzzled, and one brave soul finally asked, “Why do you continue to laugh when your dear friend has just died?”

The monks looked at each other and laughed even harder. One of them finally answered, “We are laughing because that was his final wish. We made a pact long ago that whoever dies first, the others must laugh in celebration. Our friend lived a life full of joy and laughter, and that is how he wanted to be remembered—not with tears, but with the laughter that he so loved.”

The villagers, moved by this response, began to laugh too. They realized that the monks were teaching them the greatest lesson of all: life should be celebrated, even in death. The story of the Three Laughing Monks spread far and wide, reminding people that joy, laughter, and the celebration of life’s fleeting moments are among the most profound teachings of all.

And so, the Three Laughing Monks continued to inspire joy, even after one of them had passed, leaving behind a legacy that laughter and joy are the true essence of life.
You see in life in your life
Maybe the only reason that we are on this earth as so we can laugh and laugh and never stop experience laughter so next time if you face a problem look and the mirror and just laugh the problem away because you are joy is what makes you alive