A merchant had a small shop in the town he grew up in, selling fabrics and other items not made in the town. He was careful with his money, never over-spending and rarely buying more than his customers were ready to buy from him, so he was in a position to expand his investment. He knew money grew in 3 ways: from interest paid, from appreciation over time, and from buying lower & selling higher. He also knew that it’s better to invest in something you understand than a “good deal” someone tries to sell you. So he was cautious as he considered what to do. Should he expand his business? Start another one? Buy some property? Become a lender and charge interest? Help someone else start a business and remain an investor? As he was considering he watched what was happening in his town. Several young couples were building new homes. An older man was teaching children in his home, beginning a new kind of school. Farmers were trying new crops. He could see that times were good and that change was in the air. And he wanted to help his town be prosperous while increasing the value of his money. What to do?
Finally he went to the town meeting and asked the council what they thought the town needed, not letting them know he had money to invest. The answers were all over the place: a new water system, a medical clinic, a school building, better roads and sidewalks – everyone had their idea of what would make the town a better place to live. The merchant left the meeting even more confused than before. But as he went down the stairs outside, he heard a young voice calling him. He looked down, and around, and saw one of the children who would sometimes come into his shop on an errand for her mother. She was very excited as she spoke, saying “I know what this town needs, sir!” “And what is that?” he asked with a smile, hardly knowing what to expect.
“We need a place where everyone can share what they make and eat together and dance and make music and have fun! Inside, so rain or snow won’t get us!” “Really?” “Yes sir! We need a place where kids can go after school if their chores are done and where grown-ups can meet and where everyone feels safe!” “Well, that’s quite an idea! Thank you!” said the merchant. And he patted the child on the head and went home to dinner. But he didn’t eat much that night; nor did he sleep. He kept hearing the child’s voice, and slowly the image of what she was seeing began to become clear. He could buy a piece of property near the center of town and build a large hall, one where people could set up booths around the edges and put tables at one end and a small stage with a dance floor at the other end. He worked out the finances and realized he could charge a small fee for the booths, so farmers could sell the crops and townsfolk could sell their crafts, and he could rent the stage to musicians or for events. He wouldn’t make a big profit, but over the years it would more than pay for itself – and it would give the town exactly what the little girl said – a place for everyone to have fun, even in the rain or snow. A year later, on a rainy afternoon, he and the little girl cut the ribbon on the door of the new community center building and almost everyone in the town went inside and had a party.
Finally he went to the town meeting and asked the council what they thought the town needed, not letting them know he had money to invest. The answers were all over the place: a new water system, a medical clinic, a school building, better roads and sidewalks – everyone had their idea of what would make the town a better place to live. The merchant left the meeting even more confused than before. But as he went down the stairs outside, he heard a young voice calling him. He looked down, and around, and saw one of the children who would sometimes come into his shop on an errand for her mother. She was very excited as she spoke, saying “I know what this town needs, sir!” “And what is that?” he asked with a smile, hardly knowing what to expect.
“We need a place where everyone can share what they make and eat together and dance and make music and have fun! Inside, so rain or snow won’t get us!” “Really?” “Yes sir! We need a place where kids can go after school if their chores are done and where grown-ups can meet and where everyone feels safe!” “Well, that’s quite an idea! Thank you!” said the merchant. And he patted the child on the head and went home to dinner. But he didn’t eat much that night; nor did he sleep. He kept hearing the child’s voice, and slowly the image of what she was seeing began to become clear. He could buy a piece of property near the center of town and build a large hall, one where people could set up booths around the edges and put tables at one end and a small stage with a dance floor at the other end. He worked out the finances and realized he could charge a small fee for the booths, so farmers could sell the crops and townsfolk could sell their crafts, and he could rent the stage to musicians or for events. He wouldn’t make a big profit, but over the years it would more than pay for itself – and it would give the town exactly what the little girl said – a place for everyone to have fun, even in the rain or snow. A year later, on a rainy afternoon, he and the little girl cut the ribbon on the door of the new community center building and almost everyone in the town went inside and had a party.
RSS Feed
