The Man and the Gardener
There was once a man who wanted to smell flowers. He sought out a famous gardener and said to him, “I want to smell the flowers in your garden.”
The gardener noticed that he had nose plugs in his nostrils.
“Until you remove those nose plugs, I’m afraid you won’t be able to smell anything, let alone the flowers in my garden.”
The man was taken aback. “These nose plugs were given to me by my father, and given to him by his father, and he from his, and so on, through many generations. With them, I am able to avoid the smell of garbage, which, as I’m sure you know, is not only repulsive, but can infect you with certain viruses that cause sickness.”
“This is all well and good. But you see, there is no garbage in my garden, so it is safe to remove your nose plugs. You won’t need them here.” the gardener responded.
“How can I be sure?” the man asked.
“I can only offer you my assurances.”
“I want certain proof that I will not be harmed.”
“Even if I could provide such a proof, would you believe it? In any case, I’m not telling you to remove them forever. Perhaps you can try it for a time, and then you will know.”
The man considered this proposal for several moments before saying, “The idea of moving about your garden without my nose plugs firmly in place makes me extremely uncomfortable. How can I be sure you have no garbage hidden somewhere … perhaps behind those bushes?
“No. It simply cannot be done. I will seek out another gardener who will provide me the experience I desire without all this preliminary nonsense which I find not only unwholesome, but unnecessary, as well. Good day.”
The man left, and the gardener never heard from him again.
ABOUT WRITING OF THE WEEK
Each week, to keep the creative juices flowing, I will write something (who knows what?). It will probably be a draft and require some additional love, so please be forgiving. I invite you to join me on this journey. I will try to publish something every Monday.