Mr. When was a poor man who lived on the outskirts of a small village. He lived in a small hut. Besides a pot to cook his food, and an ax to cut wood, his only possession was a chicken. The chicken laid eggs and that is how Mr. When survived.
When Mr. When was younger he would say, "When my day comes....." and regal people of what he would do. Now he is old. Now he says, "When will my day come?"
As Mr. When grew older he was less able to take care of himself. Soon he grew weak. Now he is feeble.
Mr. When has a good friend, Mr. Soon. Mr. Soon is a prominent man in the village. Routinely, Mr. Soon goes to visit Mr. When. When Mr. When becomes despaired, "When will my day come?" Mr. Soon says, "Soon, my friend. Soon."
One day, Mr. When, too feeble to work, resolved to kill and cook to the chicken to regain his strength. However, as he is headed to the coop, Mr. Soon sees him and stops him to ask what he is doing. Mr. When tells him.
Mr. Soon advises against this. He inspires Mr. When with the tale of The Goose That Laid the Golden Eggs. Mr. When feels better and resolves not to kill the chicken.
A few days later, Mr. Soon is passing Mr. When's hut when he sees a crowd. He goes to find out what has happened. The people tell him that Mr. When has died. The doctor will be out soon. When the doctor comes out, he informs the villagers that Mr. When has died of starvation; but that he did leave a note. He read the note:
To my good friend, Mr. Soon. Thank you for your constant support, your guidance, and your visits. I have little, but to thank you, I leave you my cookpot, my ax, and my chicken.
When the people ask for an explanation, Mr. Soon tells them what had transpired. The villagers were incensed. They went to Mr. Soon's home and pillaged and looted. All he had left was a cookpot, an ax, and a chicken.
It was not long after that Mr. Soon died.
The saddest part of this tale is that Mr. Soon died never understanding why he was the most reviled man in the village.
fin
Regards,
Slim
slimfairview@yahoo.com
The Quotations of Slim Fairview
© 2021 Robert Asken
All rights reserved.
Robert Asken
Box 33
Pen Argyl, PA 18072
Copyright (c) 2013 Slim Fairview
All rights reserved.
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