“Some changes look negative on the surface but you will soon realize that space is being created in your life for something new to emerge.”― Eckhart Tolle

Saturday, March 15, 2008

Never Invite The Neighbors


It starts out innocently enough. Just mom and pop, spending a night at home. But mom yearns for more. Mom yearns for a bit of social discourse. After all, pop just doesn't have much to say other than the occasional quack in response to her questions - that is the ones he actually hears. An idea takes shape. "Let's invite the neighbor's! Don't you think that is a nice idea?"

"Quack."

So the neighbors are invited. Things go quite nicely - some actual conversation over a good meal.

But soon things take a dark turn. The neighbor's husband says something just a bit over the top and helps himself to just one too many helpings. Pop takes exception. Mom is horrified by the ensuing confrontation.

Things are soon smoothed over, however, and all is copacetic. That is until the neighbors take it upon themselves to invite their neighbors. Four was okay. Six is quite another matter.

Now there are two more appetites to appease, not to mention space to share. And they're not just here for a visit. No sirree! These folks intend to settle right in and stay awhile.

Oy. Pop takes a lesson from the goatfather's sister and comments, "Come on, Mom. Let's go to bed so these good folks can go home!" Mom tries to reconcile the situation, but in the end, the guests depart. Friedrich Nietzsche wrote, "Do I advise you to love the neighbor? I suggest rather to escape from the neighbor and to love those who are the farthest away from you. Higher than the love for neighbor is the love for the man who is distant and has still to come." Mom is throwing Nietzsche's book away.


3 comments:

goatgirl said...

I will have to remember the goatfather's sister's comment.
Very funny.

Danni said...

Ha! Love that quote at the end. That really just sums it all up, doesn't it? :-)

Kathryn and Ari said...

Maybe mom should try -Thus Spoke Zarathustra- instead?