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2 Good Stories.

WHAT WILL MY REWARD BE?

One day a fisherman was lying on a beautiful beach, with his fishing pole propped up in the sand and his solitary line cast out into the sparkling blue surf. He was enjoying the warmth of the afternoon sun and the prospect of catching a fish.

About that time, a businessman came walking down the beach, trying to relieve some of the stress of his workday. He noticed the fisherman sitting on the beach and decided to find out why this fisherman was fishing instead of working harder to make a living for himself and his family. “You aren’t going to catch many fish that way,” said the businessman to the fisherman. “You should be working rather than lying on the beach!”

The fisherman looked up at the businessman, smiled and replied, “And what will my reward be?” “Well, you can get bigger nets and catch more fish!” was the businessman’s answer. “And then what will my reward be?” asked the fisherman, still smiling. The businessman replied, “You will make money and you’ll be able to buy a boat, which will then result in larger catches of fish!” “And then what will my reward be?” asked the fisherman again. The businessman was beginning to get a little irritated with the fisherman’s questions. “You can buy a bigger boat, and hire some people to work for you!” he said.

“And then what will my reward be?” repeated the fisherman. The businessman was getting angry. “Don’t you understand? You can build up a fleet of fishing boats, sail all over the world, and let all your employees catch fish for you!” Once again the fisherman asked, “And then what will my reward be?” The businessman was red with rage and shouted at the fisherman, “Don’t you understand that you can become so rich that you will never have to work for your living again! You can spend all the rest of your days sitting on this beach, looking at the sunset. You won’t have a care in the world!”

The fisherman, still smiling, looked up and said, “And what do you think I’m doing right now?”

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL FLOWER

The park bench was deserted as I sat down to read
Beneath the weeping branches of an old willow tree,
Disillusioned by life with good reason to frown,
For the world was intent on dragging me down.

And as if to ruin my rare quiet day,
A young boy approached me, all tired from play.
He stood right before me with his head tilted down
And said with excitement, "Look what I found!"

In his hand was a flower, and what a pitiful sight,
With its petals all faded, from no rain or light.
Wanting him to take his dead flower and go play,
I faked a small smile and then shifted away.

But instead of retreating he sat by my side
And sniffed at the flower and declared with surprise,
"It sure smells pretty and it's beautiful, too.
That's why I picked it; here, it's for you."

The poor weed before me was dying or dead,
No bright vibrant colors, no yellow or red.
But I knew I must take it, or he might never leave.
So I reached out my hand and said, "Just what I need."

But instead of him placing the flower in my hand,
He held it mid-air without reason or plan.
It was then that I noticed for the very first time
That weed-toting boy could not see, he was blind.

I heard my voice quiver, tears shone like the sun
As I thanked him for picking the very best one.
"You're welcome," he smiled, and then ran off to play,
Unaware of the impact he'd had on my day.

I sat there and wondered how he managed to see
A self-pitying woman beneath an old tree.
How did he know of my self-indulged plight?
Perhaps in his heart, he'd been blessed with true sight.

Through the eyes of a blind child, at last I could see
The problem was not with the world, it was me.
And for all of those times I myself had been blind
I vowed to see beauty, and appreciate what's mine.

I held that wilted flower up to my nose
And breathed in the fragrance of a beautiful rose,
And smiled as the boy, another weed in his hand,
Went to change the life of an unsuspecting old man.