Saturday, March 28, 2009

Road to Ruin


As Roosevelt said 'All we have to Fear is Fear itself'. A cautionary tale.

The same subject as yesterday; it's on my mind.

ROAD TO RUIN

He was a simple peasant and his hearing wasn't good.
He could neither read nor write, but he did the best he could.
He set-up a stall by the roadside, selling this and that,
Tasty treats for passers-by who often stopped to chat.
He was always cheerful; his food was of the best;
His stall was decorated and the people were impressed.
He earned a steady income and all was going well.
People lined up for the tasty food that he was pleased to sell.
*
Now, his son was a modern fellow, and pretty brainy too.
He returned from University saying 'Dad, I've news for you.
You won't have heard about the banks and the awful state they're in.
It's all so very awful, Dad! Where can I begin?
The world is in a bad way; everyone's going broke.
There's something called a Credit Crunch that's affecting working folk.
I advise you to go slow on things, preparing for the worst.
If I were you'd I'd cut-back on your decorations first.
Then buy the cheaper cuts of meat to make your little pies,
Pull in your horns and save a bit, that's what I'd advise.'
*
Well, of course, he was convincing and the father took great heed.
He set about economising, following his lead.
He started on a saving spree and he grew almost mean!
He fed himself so sparingly he  grew quite pale and lean.
His stall began to look quite dull; his food grew tasteless too.
His face grew rather sad and drawn as he pondered what to do.
Bit by bit his customers began to search elsewhere
For a more cheerful seller and some better-quality fare.
*
Next time the son returned to him he found a sorry sight.
His father was dejected, quite distressing was his plight.
His little business was no more; his income was depleted.
He sat at home and mourned his fate, dejected and defeated.
'You warned me this would happen' he said to his visiting son.
'You said that I'd be ruined, along with everyone.
It's all come true the way you said. Now I'll be poor for ever.


But what a lucky man I am to have a son so clever!'
*

5 comments:

Mari Meehan said...

The moral to this sad tale must be "Don't listen to your kids, they aren't always as smart as they think they are! Lol

Sherri B. said...

This was so cleverly written! And the lesson behind it is so true in life: If you think it, you'll be it.

anthonynorth said...

An important message presented in an enjoyable form. We can certainly think ourselves into situations.

Winifred said...

A cautionary tale. The media would do well to take note!

Kat said...

This poem must be included as part of the syllabus for the MBA (Master of business administration) graduates..!!!! Wonderful, what not to do, even if its recession times.