All Sentient Beings

A farmer asked a priest to recite sutras for his wife’s funeral.

 “Do you think my wife will gain merit from the recitations?”

“Not only your wife will, but all sentient beings will gain merit.”

“But, my wife was weak. Others might take advantage of her.

Please do it just for her.”

“A Buddhist wishes blessings and merit for all sentient beings.”

“Very well then, all sentient beings except this one very nasty neighbor that I really can’t stand!”