THE STORY OF THE STONES
by James Daron Starr
A boy is confronted by his grandfather, whom asked the child: go to one side of the back yard and rake the leaves there. However, before the boy left, the grandfather gave the boy a few stones to put into his pocket.
After, raking one side of the back yard, the boy returns to his grandfather. The grandfather proceeds to instruct the boy to go to the other side of the back yard and rack those leaves as well; and, like before, he gave the boy a few more stones to put into his pockets.
The boy returned and his grandfather gave new instructions to now go out to the front yard, and rake leaves on one side; and, again, gave the boy more stones to place into his pockets. The boy, drenched in sweat, gave his grandfather a tiresome look; yet, determined, continued to go forth, as his grandfather instructed.
Again, the poor boy, returns to his grandfather, clothing and all drenched in sweat and dirt, sagging as the weight of the stones pulled upon him. The grandfather smiled, as he raised an eye brow, and began to speak, as to instruct once again; yet, the boy refused, shouting: why grandfather? I have no more room for anymore stones!
The grandfather smiled, bowed down and looked into the boy’s bewildered eyes, and asked: why are you caring so many stones? The boy, frustrated, replied: because, you gave them to me! The grandfather stood up, and with a matter of fact and humorous tone, replied: are you sure? Why did you take, what you alone decided to carry?
The boy’s eyes brightened and immediately dropped the stones; except, for the one he liked. The boy then walked away smiling and began playing in the piles of leaves; for, he had learned.
What did the boy learn?
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