479. the new new year

the guru asked the tortoise, “are you excited for the new year?”

the tortoise replied, “which one?”

“this one,” the guru said.

“how is it any different than the last?”

“it’s newer.”

“well, i guess that’s nice. i remember when last year was new. now it’s old.”

“one day this year will be old.”

“yeah,” the tortoise said, “and us, too.”