The Boy and the Gopher

So, I've been inspired to tell a story,

due to the fact that lately I've been reading fables

to my children and because of a happening today. . .

Once upon a time, one warm spring evening,

a sweet family was enjoying their supper outside.

Their attention was drawn to their puppy,

who (looking incredibly like a cat) was about to pounce

on an unsuspecting gopher, popping his

head up for a breath of the fresh air.

As they watched their puppy run back and forth,

between two of the tricky gopher's holes,

Father's irritation grew. Pretty soon, HE was poised

(with a golf club) ready to strike that unsuspecting gopher.

Of course, this was all to no avail. With great frustration,

Father said to his little ones, "I will give twenty dollars

to anyone who KILLS a gopher." (hmmmm. . .)

So, the next day, taking Father's challenge to heart,

the little boy set out in search of a gopher. Mother was a

bit curious that afternoon, when her son came inside

and asked out of the blue, "Mom, what do gopher's eat?"

She responded that she was unsure, and followed him

outside to investigate what had prompted the question. . .

To her disappointment, she found a HUGE

hole in the middle of the yard. When the little boy

was questioned, with tears in his eyes, he said,

"Yes, I dug the hole but ONLY to get a gopher,

and get dollars."

If you challenge a child to an impossible task,

you better be willing to forgive his

irrational behavior while trying to

complete the task. . .