A wise old gentleman retired and purchased a modest
home near a junior high school. He spent the first few
weeks of his retirement in peace and contentment.
Then a new school year began. The very next afternoon
three young boys full of youthful after-school
enthusiasm came down his street beating merrily on
every trash can they encountered. The crashing
percussion continued day after day, until finally the
wise old man decided it was time to take some action.
The next afternoon, he walked out to meet the young
percussionists as they banged their way down the
street. Stopping them, he said, "You kids are a lot of
fun. I like to see you express your exuberance like
that. I used to do the same thing when I was your age.
Will you do me a favor? I'll give you each a dollar if
you'll promise to come around every day and do your
thing."
The kids were elated and continued to do a bang-up job
on the trash cans.A few days later, the wily retiree
approached them again as they drummed their way down
the street. "Look" he said. "I haven't received my
Social Security (Pension) check yet, so I'm not going
to be able to give you more than 25 cents. Will that be
okay?"
"A lousy quarter?" the drum leader exclaimed. "If you
think we're going to waste our time beating these cans
around for a quarter, you're nuts! No way, mister. We
quit!"
And the old man enjoyed peace and serenity for the rest
of his days.
