Fun_People Archive
22 Oct
Attitude is Everything

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From: Peter Langston <psl>
Date: Fri, 22 Oct 99 11:54:48 -0700
To: Fun_People
Precedence: bulk
Subject: Attitude is Everything

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Forwarded-by: Donald F Howaniec.

One summer, a wise old gentleman retired and purchased a modest house near
a junior high school.  He spent the first month 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.

One afternoon, the old man 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
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.

© 1999 Peter Langston