John was a chicken farmer. Born and brought
up in the country side, the redneck way of life was embedded in him –
unpolished diamonds as they say. Living with no boundaries and unable to make
sense of the city way of life he believed all he could see belonged to him – no
boundaries, no restrictions and no things to worry about.
However since the good things never last
forever, John would soon have to change his outlook. The Country Planning
officer came to his door and told him that a road would be made that would pass
right beside his field – grazing ground for his fowls. To help him keep his
fowls safe they would build a fence around his field. John was more confused
rather than convinced. Building a fence was okay but his chickens were no less high
jumpers, they would easily be able to cross over. He wondered if he could
convince the officer not to build the road or take it from a different route.
So he tried, pleaded and even protested but nothing helped. Finally one day,
the road rollers and other big machines came and the road was built.
Slowly by slowly the number of vehicles on
the road began to increase. Seeing it as a freeway with no speed restrictions
or cops standing guard the commuters zoomed past often knocking down a couple
of John’s fowls. A few fowls everyday added to the dead tally making his
business difficult while making John miserable.
The officer arrived one day to take stock
of the road and the developments. He asked John if everything was fine. John apprised
him of the situation and asked if something could be done. The officer said
that nothing could be done except putting up a sign board - Drive Slowly. John
agreed hoping that would save some lives. But to no use. No one bothered
looking at the sign and sped past. John again called up the officer and asked
him if he could put a bigger sign. The officer did that but it was still of no
use. John repeatedly called up for changing the sign from something serious to
something humorous like “Chicken’s crossing the road. Drive Slowly.” and other
modifications but none of that helped. The officer got fed up of the incessant
calls by John and decided that he would just not entertain him.
One day the calls stopped. Thinking it was
just a one off the officer ignored it. But there were no calls for a few days,
then a week, then a month. Wondering what was the matter the officer decided to
visit John. To his surprise as he was approaching his place he saw all the
vehicles slowing down making sure they would not kill some innocent fowls.
Wondering what may have caused this his eyes fell on the sign board which now
read, “The NUDIST says drive slowly as the chickens are crossing the road”.
Moral: What we have to say is important,
but how we say it is even more important.
