"If I could be myself," asserted the fool boldly to his master, "I would dine as a rich merchant on the golden streets of Babylon. For surely the man I am is destined to be further along in life than that of a servant. Someone shall perceive my worth one day." His hand swept grandly across his own form. "I could be a ship's captain, carrying spices and jewels. I could be a lender of money, well thought of and admired. There are many occupations of respect." The fool twirled on a bare toe. "One would do for me." "You are indeed a fool" said the master tugging the servant's ear. "For this is why you are a fool... because you have submitted to being one. But I gave orders to my mind to be a master, and so it is. I am all these captains you dream of, and worlds more --- all of them are me, for I am not one, but all. My wealth has presented itself as you see. My wife is draped in shimmering silk and pearls from the eastern traders. What does your wife toss around herself? The cloth of the commoner. So you shall be despised. By your good wife and by me your master, and the people of the streets." "A wise man's day is worth a fool's life." "Wishing does not make a poor man rich" (Arabian Proverbs) |
