Last week, I had such a taste for oranges. I decided to buy some, so I drove to a hardware store. It appeared to be a well-stocked shop. All the shelves were full, but I looked all over the store and couldn't find any oranges.
Finally, I asked the man at the counter where they kept the oranges. You wouldn’t believe the look he gave me. It was like I was crazy, or something! I walked out of there feeling angry as well as pretty disappointed that I still didn't have any oranges.
A few days later, I was thinking some fresh squeezed orange juice would be a wonderful way to start my day. I decided to try again. I left my house with confidence that this time I would get what I needed.
When I walked into the hardware store, the man behind the counter gave me a tight-lipped look. He watched me suspiciously as I perused the aisles. I ignored him and continued to search for those oranges. Can you believe it? I could not find one orange anywhere in that store!
I was feeling nearly furious at this point. I went to the man to give him a piece of my mind but he just stared at me blankly as if he had no idea what I was talking about.
All that day and the next I wandered around my kitchen, turning up my nose at everything in the pantry and fridge. I opened a yogurt but I sure didn't enjoy it. All I really wanted was an orange. I stormed inwardly at the stupid man behind the counter, calling him every name I could think of. What was his problem, anyway? Why was he looking at me like I was crazy?
Then, yesterday, I went back to the hardware store again. I glanced around, seeing pliers, plumbers’ helpers, and every size nail one could imagine, but still no oranges. In a fit of rage I started tearing the place apart. I raged and rightfully so! All I wanted was one stinking orange and this guy wouldn’t give me even a segment!
As the policed pulled up, it finally dawned on me… This guy doesn’t have any oranges to sell. This kind of store simply does not carry oranges. It doesn’t mean it’s a shitty hardware store, only that they don’t carry oranges.
*****
For over fifty years, I’ve been going to my mom in search of things she doesn’t have to give. There are other places I can go to get these needs met, so I think I'll stop going to the hardware store for oranges.
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