} Once upon a time, in a faraway kingdom, there lived a little
} Oracle. The little Oracle was very sad because even though he
} knew *everything*, and wanted to share his knowledge, nobody
} ever asked him any Questions.
}
} He went to the policeman on the corner and said, "Mister
} Policeman, Sir," (for the little Oracle was well-raised and
} minded his manners), "wouldn't you like to know the Meaning of
} Life?"
}
} And the officer replied,
} "Move along, boy, don't block the sidewalk."
}
} He went to the Minister at the Church and said, "Holy Reverend
} Sir, I can tell you how heavy a stone must be before God can't
} lift it".
}
} And the pastor said, "Young Oracle, go home and read your
} Bible."
}
} He even spoke to the woodchucks as they frolicked and gamboled
} in his back yard, saying "I know how much you could, if you
} could".
}
} But the woodchucks merely stood up on their haunches, sniffed the
} air, and turned away; ever since, the Oracle has had bad feelings
} about woodchucks.
}
} Finally, the little Oracle grew up, and became older and wiser,
} yes, knowing even *more* *than* *everything*!
}
} The Oracle went to the Village Square, and posted a notice on the
} bulletin board, which read:
}
} "Let it be known to all and sundry
} "That the undersigned Oracle,
} "Finding the answering of Questions to
} "be a great burthen upon his Time,
} "And realizing that his Answers are
} "too valuable to be given away for nothing,
} "From this day henceforth and forever after
} "Must demand exorbitant payment from those
} "Who wish to benefit from his Knowledge and Wisdom.
} "
} "(signed) T.U. Oracle, Esq.
}
} That very day, the Oracle was asked his first Question, and
} has lived happily ever after.
|