A tale for our time.
As I walk down the street, I see The Merchant serving a customer. The customer seems happy. I gently approach The Merchant.
Me: “Can I do what you’re doing?”
The Merchant: “No.”
Me: “Can I help you?”
The Merchant: “No…but I might let you help me if you see The Teacher. The Teacher will tell you what you should say in order to be of help to me.”
So I go to see The Teacher:
Me: “Can you teach me how to help The Merchant?”
The Teacher: “No…go see The Banker.”
So I go to see The Banker:
Me: “Will you come with me to give The Teacher what you have so that The Teacher will tell me what to say to The Merchant?”
The Banker: “Yes, I will go with you…if you agree to split what you get from The Merchant with me.”
Then The Banker and I go to see The Teacher:
The Banker {to The Teacher}: “I will help the child.”
The Teacher {to Me}: “Here are the five things to say to The Merchant.”
So I return to The Merchant:
Me: “Here are the five things The Teacher told me. Now can I help you?”
The Merchant: “I don’t need your help.”
♦
Brother Lou is a young professional living in the Chicagoland area.