Wisdom and Experience

Wisdom and Experience

The dead might as well try to speak to the living as the old to the young. Willa Cather

A Wise Old Man

Richard was a wise old man, he had retired and had bought a modest home near a junior high school. He spent the first few weeks of his retirement in peace, quiet 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 trash can [rubbish bin] they encountered.

The crashing percussion continued day after day, until finally Richard 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 favour?  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 is 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 accepted his offer and they continued their afternoon ruckus. A few days later, Richard, the wily retiree, approached them again as they drummed their way down the street. 'Look,' he said, 'I haven't received my Social Security cheque [Old Age Pension] yet, so I'm not going to be able to give you more than 25 cents. Will that be okay?'

' Only 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!'

Richard, the clever old man, enjoyed peace and tranquillity for the rest of his days.

Wisdom comes with experience

Dwayne is a strong young man at the construction site and he was bragging that he could outdo anyone in a feat of strength. He made a special case of making fun of one of the older workmen, George. After several minutes, George had had as much as he was willing to take. 'OK, Dwayne, why don't you put your money where your mouth is?' he stated thoughtfully. 'I will bet a week's wages that I can haul something in a wheelbarrow over to that outbuilding that you won't be able to wheel back.'

'You're on, old man,' Dwayne, the braggart replied, smirking. 'Let's see what you got.'

George, the old fellow, reached out and grabbed the wheelbarrow by the handles. Then, nodding to Dwayne, he said, 'All right. Get in.'

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