What Goes Around, Comes Around*

A poor farmer had grown so old

That he could no longer work on his land.

He sat on the porch and watched his son work,

Assuming his son would understand.

 

However, the son, working the fields,

Occasionally would look at his dad

And think to himself, "He does nothing!

His uselessness is driving me mad!"

 

The son's frustration increased daily.

His selfish resentment wouldn't subside.

He gathered some wood, constructed a coffin,

And told his father to climb inside.

 

Dragging the coffin to the edge of a cliff,

He stopped when he heard a tapping sound

Coming from the lid, which

He removed and laid on the ground.

 

The father looked up at his son and said,

"Son, I'd like to avoid a tiff,

But it is obvious to me that you

Are going to throw me over the cliff.

 

"Throw me over the precipice.

That's odd behavior, but I'll excuse it.

But keep this beautiful, wooden coffin;

YOUR children might want to use it."

 

(3-1-17)

 

*An old tale retold here in verse