In a clearing in another part of the forest, Notire Basura came upon a flock of magpies scolding one another raucously and beating one another with their wings so that black feathers flew in the breeze. 

A monk who was watching them from his zazen pose on a stump nearby said,  "I can understand their language." 

"Then tell me," Notire said, " what are they scolding one another about?" 

They are arguing over which of them is the most enlightened," the monk said. 

"And which one might that be?"  Notire asked. 

At that moment one of the magpies flew down and perched on the monks head,  then defecated on his shoulder before it flew back to the flock. 

"That one," said the monk. 

It is said that Notire bowed politely and departed.