A brother came to an elder and said: „Father, I cannot keep my mind in prayer. It wanders everywhere.”

The elder said: „Sit in your cell and count how many times your mind wandered during the prayer.”

After a while the brother returned: „Father, I counted to forty-two, and then I lost count.”

The elder said: „Do you see that fly? Since we began talking, it has been on the table, on the bread, on your nose, and now it is on the holy icon. Nobody gave it orders, and still it has gone everywhere. Your mind is the same. But at least the fly does not grieve over having flown.”

The brother said: „And what should I do, Father?”

The elder replied: „Do not chase it with anger, and do not follow after it. When you notice it has left, bring it back gently. And if it will not stay, know that you pray more than you think, for you remembered God forty-two times.”