The Fool - 1. Chapter 1

There was once a fool

Who decided to go on a journey

And so he started to walk

One foot in front of another

His destination known only to him.

The silliness of his action

Caused people to laugh and jeer

Because they could not understand

What the fool intends to do

Nor where he is going.

The fool did not mind

People pointing and whispering

What matters to him is his journey,

And so he continued to walk

With one foot in front of another.

While walking one day

The fool met a wise old man,

The wise elderly smiled

And the fool did the same

Both curious about the other.

The wise old man drew a deep breathe

And then he asked the fool,

“Where are you going, stranger

With your one foot in front of another?

You look as though you’re lost.”

In good spirits, the fool answered,

“I am not lost nor am I going anywhere

I go where my fancy takes me.

A lot of places I had been

And there are still a lot I want to go to.”

The wise elderly paused for a while,

“You are a fool and foolishness is what you do.

Why do you go on without a destination?

Who knows what will happen as you go on your way

With your foot in front of another.”

The fool shrugged and then replied,

“You see, I am not very bright

I just go where my feet take me.

I have been throughout the land

And have met a lot of people

I even came across you.

The land is sometimes harsh

And the weather unpredictable

But I continue to walk

With my foot in front of another

Going where my heart desires.

To my simple mind, or perhaps even foolish

What I am doing is not that different from yours.

Who knows what might happen to you

As you sit here and judge

The people that come this way?”

The wise old man gasped at what the fool said

But the fool did not see this at all.

The fool continued walking

With one foot in front of another

Happy, contented and free.