The Breaking of Branches Is Forbidden

A cautionary tale. A monk's acolyte follows his master back to the master's garden, where branches of beautiful blossoms grow. A sign forbids the breaking of the branches. The master leaves, the acolyte chants, but soon falls asleep. Two men approach the gate into the master's garden. They knock. The acolyte awakes, peeks through the gate, and decides not to let them in. One of the two men uncorks a canteen of sake and pours some out into a flat bowl. The acolyte smells the sake. Is this a ploy? What do the strangers want?