A bemusing question

A bemusing Question
P K Routray
A disciple studied and mastered religious scriptures,
with austerity and penance for twelve years
Then he went to his master for further instruction,
to follow and practice for final preparation to salvation.
It was a rainy day,
He put on shoes and carried an umbrella to protect him on the way.
He left the shoes and umbrella at Master’s door,
And went inside and bowed with all reverence to the Master.
The Master listened to the disciple with care and concentration,
as regards to his study, practice and meditation.
At the end he asked him a question as a test,
On which side of the shoes the umbrella the disciple has kept?
The disciple could not answer
“Please go and read and practice longer” coolly asked the great Master.
The disciple expected questions from the scriptures,
but the question was eloquent enough to teach the disciple to ponder and decide his course further.