From The Storyteller
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Hello All: This Is one of those life lessons that we remember long after the event. Enjoy, Doug
Ideas As a kid growing up, I really loved soda fountain ice cream sundaes. I’m talking about a two-scooper with chocolate syrup, whip cream, and topped with a maraschino cherry. The best part being that bright red, super sweet, cherry on top because it just made the whole thing special. Two blocks from my house was my grade school, across the street from the school was the school store, and behind it was the “jungle”. During the week this “jungle” was the place we older guys could hang out during lunch. Basically, it was an overgrown lot with the brush tall enough to hide those of us sitting in the clearing at the center from the wondering eyes of those who passed by. Next to the school store was the Hi-Lo grocery store which sold everything from fresh meats and produce to canned goods and cake mixes – including glass jars full of bright red, very sweet, maraschino cherries. It was a Saturday; I had just earned a dollar mowing a lawn, and like magic I had a great idea. I could take my dollar, walk the two blocks to the Hi-Lo, and buy a jar of those wonderful cherries. Since none of the other guys would be around, I could sneak into the “jungle” and eat the whole jar by myself. Which brings me to the place where I can say my idea worked exactly as I hoped - all except for the throwing up part after I ate all cherries. From that adventure I learned two very important things. First, when you have an idea, be aware of the possibility that unintended consequences may occur. Second, more of something you like very much is not always better. Moral: Following through on a great idea is not always a good idea. |