Wisdom That Comes With Age

A wise old gentleman retired and purchased a modest home near a
high school. He spent the first few weeks of his retirement
in peace and contentment. Then the 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 following 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. 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.

After a few days, the old-timer greeted the kids again, but this
time he had a sad smile on his face. "This recession is really
putting a big dent in my income," he told them. "From now on,
I'll only be able to pay you 50 cents to beat on the cans."

The noisemakers were obviously displeased, but they did accept his
offer and continued their afternoon ruckus.

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 Pension cheque yet, so I'm not going to be able
to give you more than 25 cents. Will that be okay?"

"A lousy 25 cents?" the drum leader exclaimed. "If you think we're
going to waste our time, beating these cans around for 25 cents,
you're nuts! No way, mister. We quit!"

And the wise old man enjoyed peace and serenity for the rest of
his days.