A Parable

"A PARABLE"...........................

> > SHE WALKED UP AND TIED HER OLD MULE TO THE HITCHING POST. AS SHE STOOD
> > THERE, BRUSHING SOME OF THE DUST FROM HER FACE AND CLOTHES, A YOUNG
> > GUNSLINGER STEPPED OUT OF THE SALOON WITH A GUN IN ONE HAND AND A
> > BOTTLE OF WHISKEY IN THE OTHER. THE YOUNG GUNSLINGER LOOKED AT THE
> > OLD WOMAN AND LAUGHED,
> >
> > "HEY OLD WOMAN, HAVE YOU EVER DANCED?"
> >
> >
> >
> > THE OLD WOMAN LOOKED UP AT THE GUNSLINGER AND SAID, "NO, I NEVER DID
> > DANCE... NEVER REALLY WANTED TO."
> >
> >
> >
> > A CROWD HAD GATHERED AS THE GUNSLINGER GRINNED AND SAID, "WELL, YOU
> > OLD BAG, YOU'RE GONNA DANCE NOW," AND STARTED SHOOTING AT THE OLD
> > WOMAN'S FEET.
> >
> >
> >
> > THE OLD WOMAN PROSPECTOR -- NOT WANTING TO GET HER TOE BLOWN OFF --
> > STARTED HOPPING AROUND. EVERYBODY WAS LAUGHING. WHEN HIS LAST BULLET
> > HAD BEEN FIRED, THE YOUNG GUNSLINGER, STILL LAUGHING, HOLSTERED HIS
> > GUN AND TURNED AROUND TO GO BACK INTO THE
> >
> > SALOON.
> >
> >
> >
> > THE OLD WOMAN TURNED TO HER PACK MULE, PULLED OUT A DOUBLE-BARRELED
> > SHOTGUN, AND COCKED BOTH HAMMERS. THE LOUD CLICKS CARRIED CLEARLY
> > THROUGH THE DESERT AIR. THE CROWD STOPPED LAUGHING IMMEDIATELY.
> >
> >
> >
> > THE YOUNG GUNSLINGER HEARD THE SOUNDS, TOO, AND HE TURNED AROUND VERY
> > SLOWLY. THE SILENCE WAS ALMOST DEAFENING.
> >
> > THE CROWD WATCHED AS THE YOUNG GUNMAN STARED AT THE OLD WOMAN AND THE
> > LARGE GAPING HOLES OF THOSE TWIN BARRELS. THE BARRELS OF THE SHOTGUN
> > NEVER WAVERED IN THE OLD WOMAN'S HANDS, AS SHE QUIETLY SAID, "SON,
> > HAVE YOU EVER KISSED A MULE'S ASS?"
> >
> >
> >
> > THE GUNSLINGER SWALLOWED HARD AND SAID, "NO M'AM... BUT... I'VE ALWAYS
> > WANTED TO."
> >
> >
> >
> > THERE ARE A FEW LESSONS HERE FOR ALL OF US:
> >
> > 1 - Never be arrogant.
> >
> > 2 - Don't waste ammunition.
> >
> > 3 - Whiskey makes you think you're smarter than you are.
> >
> > 4 - Always, always make sure you know who has the power.
> >
> > 5 - Don't mess with old women; they didn't get old by being stupid...
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > I JUST LOVE A STORY WITH A HAPPY ENDING, DON'T YOU?
> >
> >