Let There Be Peace - A Modern
Parable
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 trash can 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. 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 and serenity for the
rest of his days.
