parables
the stranger
the stranger
A stranger from a far off part of the country moved into a house on the edge of town. It was a town that wasn't much used to outsiders, and so it wasn't uncommon for the local kids to gather around his fence at various times of the day or night and hurl insults at him, as well as all sorts of litter into his garden.
One morning the man surprised the kids by coming out to greet them. He said, "Where I come from people can shout much louder than you. And they're more creative too. I'm getting bored hearing the same things from you every day. I'm sure you can do better. So I'll tell you what. I'll give you all a dollar if you come tomorrow with the loudest and most unpleasant insults you can think of."
The kids thought this was a great idea. They came back next day with some really choice insults that they'd got from their parents and elder brothers.
"Pretty good," said the stranger handing out the cash, "but is that really the best you can do. Come back tomorrow and, if you can improve on today, I'll give you 50 cents each."
The children returned next day and hurled some very colourful abuse at the man. They chanted long and loud, and when they were done, he gave them their promised reward. "Excellent," he said, "much better. Come again tomorrow, but I can only afford 10 cents."
"Only 10 cents," responded the children, deeply affronted, "You're joking!"
So they stayed away. And they never came back. It wasn't worth their while.