The Farmer and His Son

One day in winter, father farmer told his youngest son
Let’s go to the market before the clouds cover the sun
Let’s sell a few chicken, people will buy them for Sunday
And we’ll have some money for your school trip on Monday

In the market, the son saw a horse for just a hundred dollars
This seemed great, even though he was not among the scholars
Happily he said: “For only a hundred bucks, you can get a horse”
“Too expensive”, the father immediately replied with force.

Father and son went back home. No words were exchanged.
Months of hard work passed, as usual. Not much has changed.
In summer, both father and son went to the market again
A nice horse for a thousand dollars was offered right then.

 “Daddy, you see, you didn’t buy the horse for a hundred”
What his father would say about this one, he wondered.
The father quickly responded: “My son, go buy it on the spot”
Not understanding his father’s reason, he first thought a lot.

“Daddy, explain to me your logic” the father calmly said:
“In the winter I didn’t have money, I was happy we had bread
But now, after a great harvest, I can afford, not only this mare
But everything we need and you can enjoy yourself at the fair.

 Copyright 2010 Emile Tubiana