Fable: The Boss-Man
Writing Exercise #15
Back with another take on Aesop’s Fables, because I forgot to do it last week for the first Tuesday!
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Enjoy!
Fable: The Axe is laid unto the root of the trees (#140)
A fir-tree and a thorn-bush were arguing with each other, and the fir was singing its own praises. ‘I am beautiful and tall,’ it said to the thorn, ‘and useful for making temple roofs and ships. How can you compare yourself with me?’ ‘But remember the axes and saws which cut you,’ was the reply, ‘and then you will wish you were a thorn-bush.’
No one should be vainglorious in this life; for it is insignificant people who live most safely.
It wasn’t easy for Greg to accept that this was his life now—pan-handling on the streets. It wasn’t what he wanted. He felt like the world had forgotten him. He wrote a simple cardboard sign—sincere, heartfelt: “Anything helps.”
He knew that the financial district was where the moneyed people worked, so he hoped that maybe, maybe he could catch some dollars that fell off their table. He set up, every day, on the corner of the tallest building in the financial district, a magnificent glass skyscraper.
Standing in the same spot, every day, for months, Greg started to get a feel for the kind of people that came around. One of the most interesting was the man Greg called (to himself) ‘boss-man’.
Boss-man always rolled up in a pristine black sedan, and stepped out of the back seat, usually talking on his cellphone. Boss-man always had to cross in front of Greg. After observing him for a while, Greg tried reaching out: “Mornin’ boss-man.”
The man stopped in his tracks, looked at him, and scoffed. “Get a job, you bum.”
It was the same, week after week. Boss-man would arrive, Greg would occasionally venture a conversation, and Boss-man would rebuke him as a lazy ne’er-do-well.
One day, at the end of the day, police-cruisers showed up to the building. Greg couldn’t believe his eyes—it was Boss-man, being led out in handcuffs. Boss-man looked over and caught Greg’s eye. Greg had never felt more blessed. He smiled.
(249 words )
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Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoy! Come back next week for another writing exercise!
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Thank you and God bless!
Karma right? As a therapist it's all about ethics. Regular yearly trainings are required.
Love this.