Lessons for my son, part 1

Tonight I spent a few minutes reading to my son before he went to sleep. Six years old is a terrific age, so full of energy and eager to learn. I reached for an old book of Aesop fables and decided I would read him a few of the classics. After each story, we would discuss the morals, then I would ask him a few questions.

The third one was a favorite of mine.


The Goose That Laid the Golden Eggs


A man and his wife had the good fortune to possess a goose which laid a golden egg every day. Lucky though they were, they soon began to think they were not getting rich fast enough, and, imagining the bird must be made of gold inside, they decided to kill it in order to secure the whole store of precious metal at once. But when they cut it open they found it was just like any other goose. Thus, they neither got rich all at once, as they had hoped, nor enjoyed any longer the daily addition to their wealth.

Morals;

Much wants more yet oft loses all.

Greed destroys the source of good.

Think before you act.


Then I asked my son a few questions to see if he had grasped the principles.

Who should be the most thankful buddy, the goose or the farmer?
“The farmer” he said,” the goose did all the work, all the farmer did was give it a little food. Anyone could give it food.”


"Very good, If the goose wanted a little change to the coop, should the farmer listen to it, or should he ignore it?"
“He better listen," he said, "if not, the goose will just fly away."

"That's right, so, If you own the goose, should you take care of the goose, or just demand the eggs?" I asked .
“I would be the lucky one." he answered,"I would pet it every day and take it for walks… I would feed it candy or whatever it wants… if not, it won’t give me eggs anymore."

"Very good bud" I replied. "Last question, If the goose did want to leave, what would you do? Would you thank it for all the eggs it gave you over the years, or WOULD YOU CALL IT NAMES, SEND LETTERS TO ALL ITS FRIENDS, THEN PULL OUT A MACHINE GUN AND SHOOT AT EVERYONE AS THEY TRIED TO FLY AWAY?!!!!"

“WHAT?” asked my concerned son. “You are funny dad, that would be really dumb!”

I laughingly agreed.

“Sorry little buddy,.. kind of got carried away,... I was thinking of different story.”