The Watch

There were once two sons, one who was very wise, and the other was a fool to say the least of him. They happened to be friends and took a trip to the village fair one day. After much merriment, the wise son saw a wonderful watch of gold; that whenever the light of the sun caught the metallic face, it would shine beautifully. The foolish son took notice of the same watch.

“Quite a dandy isn’t it,” said the foolish son.
“It sure is,” said the wise son, “How much is it, mister?”

The merchant gave the price-a thousand shillings, and upon hearing the number both boys nearly came to a faint. The wise son was only given twenty shilling by his father. The merchant, seeing the boy’s doleful mood, made him a proposition.

“If you would give something of equal value,” replied the merchant, “The watch surely will be yours. Do you not have land or a deed to a house? Surely you can come up with something?”

The wise son knew that his father owned plenty of goats and sheep; yet he also concluded that his father would never agree to depart with his flock over a watch. Immediately the temptation to steal conjured up in his mind, and the merchant’s shrewd look was adding to the pressure. However, the wise son’s father had taught his son well, and although it was difficult, the proposition was rejected.

“They’ll be other treasures,” said the wise son.

The foolish son, listening ever so carefully to the merchant’s deal beforehand, offered a trade for that pretty watch.

“If I can get you something with equal value of the watch, will you give it to me?”
“My words are the same as it was for your friend,” said the merchant, “but before you leave boy, you will sign a contract to seal the deal between you and me.”

The merchant wrote out the contract, signing his name. Upon picking up the pen, the wise son tried to prevent such a foolish act by the foolish boy.

“I don’t think what you are about to do is wise.”

The foolish son smiled and said,

“Friends we are and friends we will be, but it is the watch that I need. No wisdom, I say, shall I heed.”

So that very day, knowing his mother was out at the market. The foolish son stole his mother’s diamond ring and exchanged it for that watch. He looked at it as it glittered amongst the sunny afternoon and even scolded the wise son for turning down the merchant’s deal.

“I have the watch now,” said the fool twirling it, “Now what do you say?”

“Indeed you have, “said the wise son, “but you’ll smart for it.”

Such words would came true swiftly to the foolish son’s dismay; for later that day an announcement made the fool gravelly ill.

“Just come from the market son,” said the fool’s mother,” Looks like rent is going to be tight this month, so I must sell that dear ring of mine.”

The watch the fool had in his pocket almost seemed to grew heavier and heavier, especially when his mother was in distress over the missing ring. The foolish boy had no choice but to admit what he had done, of which he was recompense with a beating and two more before the day ended.

The wise son, when his father found out what his son had done, was rewarded for his good deed, receiving new clothes and even a better watch than the one at the fair.

If temptation ever comes, and it always will, hold you peace-be very still. Heed not to the glamour or pleasure therein; for you could be in trouble or looking at a gripping sin. Be wise in your goings avoid a decision on the fly. You’ll escape much pain this way, and that’s no lie.