From The Storyteller
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Hello All: Tales from my youth bring me smiles even now. Enjoy, Doug
Planning As a kid growing up, I really loved the soda fountain ice cream sundaes. We’re talking about a serious sundae with two scoops of vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup, whip cream, and topped with a maraschino cherry. The best part of course being the bright red, super sweet cherry on top. Two blocks from my house was my grade school. Across the street from the school was Fischer’s school store, and behind Fischer’s was “the jungle”. During the week the jungle was where us “older” guys hung out during lunch. No girls or punk kids were allowed into this secret hang out, which was basically an overgrown lot with a clearing in the center. It was great because the brush was tall enough to hide us from the wondering eyes of those who passed by. Next to the school store was the Hi-Lo grocery store, and they sold everything - including glass jars full of bright red, very sweet, maraschino cherries. It was a Saturday, and I had both a dollar and a great idea. Why not take my dollar and walk the two blocks to the Hi-Lo, and buy a jar of those wonderful cherries? Since none of the guys would be around, I could sneak into the jungle and eat the whole jar by myself. The plan worked exactly as I thought - except for the throwing up part after I ate all the cherries. From this adventure I learned several things. First, when you have a plan be aware that unintended consequences may occur. Second, you may like something very much in small amounts, but that does not always translate into “more is better”. And third, I don’t like maraschino cherries nearly as much as I thought. Moral: Desire and desirable are two very different things. |