Post by vinlander on Dec 17, 2020 17:02:52 GMT
In a small shop in Semur-en-Auxois, Burgundy, the owner called to the stock boy.
“ Bert! Stop that infernal singing and come in the office.”
The boy sighed, just when he was getting to the fun part of the tune. He came down the ladder, brushed some invisible lint from his apron, and followed the older man into the office/stock room at the back.
The man sat behind a small desk covered in papers. The boy stood attentively. The man stared at him briefly before saying “So, Bert, you are 16 tomorrow.”
“Yes, father.”
“Please, don't call me that.”
“Even though it is true?”
“Let's not make this any more unpleasant than it must be. The truth is, the shop is not doing well. And I have spoken to my wife and your mother, and the three of us agree, you need to broaden your horizons.”
The boy said nothing. It was his habit to say nothing if he had nothing to say.
“Oh, Bert! Dammit lad! I've got too many problems to deal with, and though I am fond of you, I can't keep feeding you.”
“I do earn my keep, sir.”
“You do, I admit. So, I am giving you a severage package.”
“What does that mean?”
“In the morning, after breakfast, say good-bye to your mother, and take the old ox cart to Paris.”
“What am I to do there?”
“Do whatever you like. Sell the ox and the wagon. You might get a few crowns from them. And after that, you've got quite an imagination. Imagine something and do it.”
“I see.”
“I am sorry.”
“I am not. You have treated me fairly, and you have other responsibilities.”
A few days later, having sold the ox and the cart for a few crowns, Philibert Ecrou set about conquering Paris.
“ Bert! Stop that infernal singing and come in the office.”
The boy sighed, just when he was getting to the fun part of the tune. He came down the ladder, brushed some invisible lint from his apron, and followed the older man into the office/stock room at the back.
The man sat behind a small desk covered in papers. The boy stood attentively. The man stared at him briefly before saying “So, Bert, you are 16 tomorrow.”
“Yes, father.”
“Please, don't call me that.”
“Even though it is true?”
“Let's not make this any more unpleasant than it must be. The truth is, the shop is not doing well. And I have spoken to my wife and your mother, and the three of us agree, you need to broaden your horizons.”
The boy said nothing. It was his habit to say nothing if he had nothing to say.
“Oh, Bert! Dammit lad! I've got too many problems to deal with, and though I am fond of you, I can't keep feeding you.”
“I do earn my keep, sir.”
“You do, I admit. So, I am giving you a severage package.”
“What does that mean?”
“In the morning, after breakfast, say good-bye to your mother, and take the old ox cart to Paris.”
“What am I to do there?”
“Do whatever you like. Sell the ox and the wagon. You might get a few crowns from them. And after that, you've got quite an imagination. Imagine something and do it.”
“I see.”
“I am sorry.”
“I am not. You have treated me fairly, and you have other responsibilities.”
A few days later, having sold the ox and the cart for a few crowns, Philibert Ecrou set about conquering Paris.