The Old Question

 

I was walking down an old country lane one day, when I came upon a circus. Colorful and full of that excitement that may only be found at a place such as that, I walked under the gigantic ribbon that served as the entrance. Being one of such short income, I could not hope to afford to attend every one of the fantastical shows. I pondered the selection of the events,each more thrilling than the last. Should I go see the strong man, or maybe the lion tamer would be better. Would I go to the trapeze show, or would the illusionist be more engaging. Standing in my inability to choose a single one of the shows, I heard an old and weathered voice come drifting from somewhere in the back of the chatty crowd.

“ Come forward, I will ask a question about life, if you answer, no matter how long it takes, you will win a prize of such worth, that any poor man will become a king of his own kind.”

Not being able to resist such a dare, and hardly believing the old carny's words, I came forward to the shabby booth.

“ Do you think you can answer my little question? We shall see. What is the most important thing in life?”

I contemplated the fact for God knows how long. Until the circus had even shutdown. I wondered at it for a whole year until I started to forget. I was married in the second year since the question, and I had a successful carpentry business going. I had completely forgot about the old man's question. On the beginning of the third year, when I thirsted for money, I had a recollection of the old man's promise for fortune. I knew it was probably too far gone and that the thing was a hoax to begin with anyway, but I had to try. So, I made my way to the old circus. And sure enough, there it still stood.

I searched for the old man, but to no avail. I was about to put him off for being passed when I heard a familiar sound.

“ Come forward for a chance for riches, answer my question.” said the old man in his wheezing tone.

“ I can.” I said with barely contained anticipation.

“ I remember you, well, what is the answer.” he said

“ Being with the ones whom you love and who love you. To know that they are always there.” I said with great hope.

“ You are the first to get the answer right. Riches are yours.” he said, but he didn't give me anything he just continued to call out to the crowd.

“ Well,” I said in annoyance.

“ What?” he asked in a surprised voice.

“ Where is the fortune you promised?” I asked.

“ You don't know.” he said.

“ What don't I know.”

“ You didn't know what the lesson was.”

“ What lesson?” I said now irritated.

“ I said you would have riches. What I didn't say, is , that if you answered you already had the riches even kings very often don't have. You are a king of your life. You already own the riches I promised. You have your fortune.”

Author's Note

Please ignore all grammer and spelling errors. I thank you for reading.

Reviews

[Spur]

Wow, man! Really and truly I never expected it to be that good. It was slightly predictable but it was very well put together

[Lime]

Love the last part.
Oh wow, Im such an english nerd. When you said "Your are... Your are," I was like yep he's using anaphora!