I was exploring a few friends blogs and ran across a set of stories for Thanksgiving. This one was just too cute for me to pass up to share along. So, First off let's give credit to where I found this gem....Sharon Wray's Blog
Sharon is a USA Today Bestselling author and a chemical & patent librarian who once studied dress design in the couture houses of Paris… and worked as a Red Cross caseworker in South Korea. Because it took her forever to decide what she wanted to do when she grew up, she now writes romance and women’s fiction novels filled with suspense, adventure, and love.
Be sure to check it out!!
The story I chose for today is ~
WHY
HE CARRIED THE TURKEY
By
James Baldwin (this
short story is from his book
Fifty
Famous People - A Book of Short Stories, 1912 and is in the Public
Domain)
In
Richmond, Virginia, one Saturday morning, an old man went into the
market to buy something. He was dressed plainly, his coat was worn,
and his hat was dingy. On his arm he carried a small basket.
"I
wish to get a fowl for to-morrow's dinner," he said.
The
market man showed him a fat turkey, plump and white and ready for
roasting.
"Ah!
that is just what I want," said the old man. "My wife will
be delighted with it."
He
asked the price and paid for it. The market man wrapped a paper round
it and put it in the basket.
Just
then a young man stepped up. "I will take one of those turkeys,"
he said. He was dressed in fine style and carried a small cane.
"Shall
I wrap it up for you?" asked the market man.
"Yes,
here is your money," answered the young gentleman; "and
send it to my house at once."
"I
cannot do that," said the market man. "My errand boy is
sick to- day, and there is no one else to send. Besides, it is not
our custom to deliver goods."
"Then
how am I to get it home?" asked the young gentleman.
"I
suppose you will have to carry it yourself," said the market
man. "It is not heavy."
"Carry
it myself! Who do you think I am? Fancy me carrying a turkey along
the street!" said the young gentleman; and he began to grow very
angry. The old man who had bought the first turkey was standing quite
near. He had heard all that was said.
"Excuse
me, sir," he said; "but may I ask where you live?"
"I
live at Number 39, Blank Street," answered the young gentleman;
"and my name is Johnson."
"Well,
that is lucky," said the old man, smiling. "I happen to be
going that way, and I will carry your turkey, if you will allow me."
"Oh,
certainly!" said Mr. Johnson. "Here it is. You may follow
me."
When
they reached Mr. Johnson's house, the old man politely handed him the
turkey and turned to go.
"Here,
my friend, what shall I pay you?" said the young gentleman.
"Oh,
nothing, sir, nothing," answered the old man. "It was no
trouble to me, and you are welcome."
He
bowed and went on. Young Mr. Johnson looked after him and wondered.
Then he turned and walked briskly back to the market.
"Who
is that polite old gentleman who carried my turkey for me?" he
asked of the market man.
"That
is John Marshall, Chief Justice of the United States. He is one of
the greatest men in our country," was the answer.
The
young gentleman was surprised and ashamed. "Why did he offer to
carry my turkey?" he asked.
"He
wished to teach you a lesson," answered the market man.
"What
sort of lesson?" "He wished to teach you that no man should
feel himself too fine to carry his own packages."
"Oh,
no!" said another man who had seen and heard it all. "Judge
Marshall carried the turkey simply because he wished to be kind and
obliging. That is his way."
Blessed by God
Life's good @ the Bright side of the Barn
Thanks for stopping by
Until next time, Stay Safe and Happy Trails
