A story I remember from a reader when I was young. All those stories seemed to have a moral to them, which l’ll let you interpret for yourself.
Andre’ was the lazy type. It seemed he could never set his mind to anything.
When his father passed, he left Andre’ the value of 100 drachmas in Persian money. Andre’ got an idea how he might increase this so he came up with the following plan. He spent the entire amount in earthenware, beautiful glassware, and a large basket to keep them in.
Then he rented himself a tiny shop and sat back to wait for customers. He said to himself, “This basket cost me all the money that I have when I bought it at wholesale. After I sell it at retail I will have 200 drachmas.
Then I will spend the 200 drachmas on more merchandise and I will sell it for 400 drachmas. Then I will make 800 drachmas, and when I have acquired 1,000 drachmas l will put aside the glass business and become a jeweler. Then l will deal in diamonds, pearls, and precious stones. When I have as much wealth as I desire I will purchase the finest house, with lands, and servants and horses.
I will begin to make a noise in the world, and continue to sell until I have 10,000 drachmas. Then I will set about being a prince and demand the kings daughter in marriage. When I have brought the princess to my house I will train her to have due respect for me. I will confine her to her room, and be unrelenting in my treatment of her.
Then she shall come to me as I am seated on my sofa. The daughter with tears in her eyes, will beg me to receive her into my favor. Then shall I raise up my foot and push her away, so that she will have due respect for me. As Andre’ was caught up in this vision, he could not keep his foot from swinging out and striking his basket of glassware.
Kicking them a great distance out into the street, where they broke into a thousand pieces. Thus ended Andres’ excursion into the business world before he had sold his first piece of merchandise.
—James Neuhouser
