two monks and a mountain

Today I'm reminded of a story my dad used to tell me when I was a child to put me to sleep:

A long time ago, there was a mountain. On the mountain was a temple. In the temple was an old monk, and a young monk. One day, the young monk says to the old monk, "Old monk, tell me a story." So the old monk says to the young monk, "A long time ago, there was a mountain. On the mountain was a temple. In the temple was an old monk, and a young monk. One day, the young monk says to the old monk, 'Old monk, tell me a story.' So the old monk says to the young monk, 'A long time ago...'"

Here's hoping that I fall asleep soon...