A wise old gentleman retired and purchased a modest home near a
junior high school.
He spent the first few weeks of his retirement in peace and
contentment. Then a new school year began. The very next afternoon
three young boys, full of youthful, after-school enthusiasm, came down
his street, beating merrily on every trashcan they encountered. The
crashing percussion continued day after day, until finally the wise
old man decided it was time to take some action.
The next afternoon, he walked out to meet the young
percussionists as they banged their way down the street. Stopping
them, he said, "You kids are a lot of fun. I like to see you express
your exuberance like that. In fact, I used to do the same thing when I
was your age. Will you do me a favor? I'll give you each a dollar if
you'll promise to come around every day and do your thing." The kids
were elated and continued to do a bang-up job on the trashcans.
After a few days, the old-timer greeted the kids again, but this
time he had a sad smile on his face.
"This recession's really putting a big dent in my income," he
told them. "From now on, I'll only be able to pay you 50 cents to beat
on the cans."
The noisemakers were obviously displeased, but they did accept
his offer and continued their afternoon ruckus. A few days later, the
wily retiree approached them again as they drummed their way down the
street.
"Look," he said, "I haven't received my Social Security check
yet, so I'm not going to be able to give you more than 25 cents. Will
that be okay?"
"A lousy quarter?" the drum leader exclaimed. "If you think
we're going to waste our time, beating these cans around for a
quarter, you're nuts! No way, mister. We quit!"
And the old man enjoyed peace.
--
Rolex
"May Dragons Fly Ever in your Dreams"
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