If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it must be a duck
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If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck
It is a duck, even though, chirps like a sparrow.
Four years ago I gave a friend a significant sum of money to finalize a business venture, which he had been playing with for three years.
There is an old saying that fools rush in where angels fear to tread.
At that stage, with out a lot of thought being put into the project, or the future, and I might say without consultation with another being, I advanced the money.
Time has come and gone, and this friend even rung me on Saturday 8th December and blithely informed me that everything will be finalized by next Wednesday. He would make me a happy person and thanked me for the tremendous help I had been to him over the last four years. I did not bother putting up any recriminations on the delay of the return of my money or his honour, Honesty.
Incidentally he has rung me several times over the preceding four years, always almost word for word of this morning’s Phone call.
As always he exceedingly kind in his choice of words and the words always sound like canary chirpings. If it happens next Wednesday, that will be great, if it doesn’t happen next Wednesday, what has changed just another year?
If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck
It is a duck, even though, chirps like a sparrow.
Once upon a time I was exceedingly upset, and most annoyed, still time itself is a great healer I know in my heart he will meet his God one day. I wonder what he will say then.
I understand you are thinking. ‘There is no fool like an old fool.’
May be I should not have read “Magnificent Obsession” by Lloyd C. Douglas.” That’s my excuse anyway.
“A true friend laughs at your stories even when they're not so good, and sympathizes with your troubles even when they're not so bad” I don’t blame you for laughing.
“It is prosperity that gives us friends, adversity that proves them.”
“Since light travels faster than sound, people appear bright until you hear them speak.”
James Whitcomb Riley (1849-1916)
J. W Riley aledgedly wrote the words
If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck
Little Orphant Annie
INSCRIBED WITH ALL FAITH AND AFFECTION
To all the little children: -- The happy ones; and sad ones;
The sober and the silent ones; the boisterous and glad ones;
The good ones -- Yes, the good ones, too; and all the lovely bad ones.
1Little Orphant Annie's come to our house to stay,
2An' wash the cups an' saucers up, an' brush the crumbs away,
3An' shoo the chickens off the porch, an' dust the hearth, an' sweep,
4An' make the fire, an' bake the bread, an' earn her board-an'-keep;
5An' all us other childern, when the supper-things is done,
6We set around the kitchen fire an' has the mostest fun
7A-list'nin' to the witch-tales 'at Annie tells about,
8An' the Gobble-uns 'at gits you
9 Ef you
10 Don't
11 Watch
12 Out!
13Wunst they wuz a little boy wouldn't say his prayers, --
14An' when he went to bed at night, away up-stairs,
15His Mammy heerd him holler, an' his Daddy heerd him bawl,
16An' when they turn't the kivvers down, he wuzn't there at all!
17An' they seeked him in the rafter-room, an' cubby-hole, an' press,
18An' seeked him up the chimbly-flue, an' ever'-wheres, I guess;
19But all they ever found wuz thist his pants an' roundabout: --
20An' the Gobble-uns 'll git you
21 Ef you
22 Don't
23 Watch
24 Out!
25An' one time a little girl 'ud allus laugh an' grin,
26An' make fun of ever' one, an' all her blood-an'-kin;
27An' wunst, when they was "company," an' ole folks wuz there,
28She mocked 'em an' shocked 'em, an' said she didn't care!
29An' thist as she kicked her heels, an' turn't to run an' hide,
30They wuz two great big Black Things a-standin' by her side,
31An' they snatched her through the ceilin' 'fore she knowed what she's about!
32An' the Gobble-uns 'll git you
33 Ef you
34 Don't
35 Watch
36 Out!
37An' little Orphant Annie says, when the blaze is blue,
38An' the lamp-wick sputters, an' the wind goes woo-oo!
39An' you hear the crickets quit, an' the moon is gray,
40An' the lightnin'-bugs in dew is all squenched away, --
41You better mind yer parunts, an' yer teachurs fond an' dear,
42An' churish them 'at loves you, an' dry the orphant's tear,
43An' he'p the pore an' needy ones 'at clusters all about,
44Er the Gobble-uns 'll git you
45 Ef you
46 Don't
47 Watch
48 Out!
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Comments
Of course we all have, but it is how you handle the situation afterward that makes all the difference. As you learn the true nature of people you either shy away from all dealings, or you learn to commit only what you can afford to lose.
Nice hub,Keep it up.
Thank yoy Hoodala and aman
Great story great hud. Thumbs up
gabriella05
Thank you for your kind words
Hey MrMarmalade, haven't we all done similar things--I know I have. Too many times to count. To continue a grudge would eat you up, to "invest" again, would eat up your bank account. Loved the hub, you ALWAYS make me think! Thanks again!
We've all known this "friend" or neighbor. Chin up and get on with your life. You've learned a painful lesson so now you are the wiser.
Susan
Excellent hub, Mr.Marmalade. Your not the first to suffer such a fate. Your tale is as old as the hills: In Shakespeare's Hamlet, 1603, Lord Polonius offered his famous advice to his son: "Neither a borrower nor a lender be; For loan oft loses both itself and friend, And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry."
Please give us an update next Wednesday!
I will update, There is no bitterness,as you say, maybe wiser. I have read Hamlet and remember his message to his son. thank you one and all.
Fingers crossed for you, Mr. Marmalade!
I have even crossed my eyes.
I find that it is how we handle the situation that truly matters, we all do things that don't work out as we thought they would. Life is a learning curve.
well written hub.
Gee how we know that feeling. But if we dont take a gamble now and again we will never know if they were a true friend or not. And now you know he was not a real true friend. So go out and make good friends like all of us. I have a favorite saying. " every dog has his day and I beleive he/she will get theirs. Good hub
My main thought I have no regrets.
Still alive
But Thank you all
Another fine (and funny) hub!
Thumbs up!!
It has happened to me quiet a few times, I sold some stuff with my Belgian friend, but in the end he stopped communicating after he had my products and funds. That was a big loss, but I trusted him too much. He did well for one year, but then he started showing his true colors. But now I have become wiser. With friends, we should always be careful, they will borrow money but they won't pay back. So, maybe you can give them a little, if they are honest the first time, you can give them more the next time. It doesn't matter whether they will repay or not or take us for a sucker, God will reward you for your kindness for sure, that is all matters.
This is a surety and God knows what he is doing, whilst I kmow very little.
Thank you
I, too, have done that! I am doing my best to not let cynicism and distrust smother me after such dealings. The problem is that, these experiences colour our personality, and we get hurt, then are wary about the rest of our friends. I refuse to allow that, because there are good people, too, around, who deserve my respect.
Thanks for this experience, Frank, it set me thinking!
I believe you must give where it is required. Some time you make a mistake and other times you reap the reward of more than it cost you.
there are good people, too, around, who deserve my respect. I believe there more good than bad people around me
Yes, indeed, I have been in similar situations... like when I had a friend who rented an apartment from me, and kept insisting that the rent would be paid "as soon as she got a raise." And, of course, I believed her, as she never made any pretense of denial or running from her obligation.
I am hopeful for you... for the reason that Lynne eventually did come through for me, paying me what was owed about three years later, with profuse apologies. There are good people out there who are NOT trying to rip us off, but (for whatever reasons-- INCLUDING "bad money management") simply take a while to pay back what they have borrowed.
Mr. Denmarkguy,
Thank you for those kind words and one day I will have a bottle of Champers with my friend george.
Thank you
I feel for you Mr marmalade. I myself have a personal rule - I will never lend money to a friend if I expect to get it back.
I suddenly think that is a terrific rule. I ruled on it to be passed now as a motion
Thank you
I like this saying: “A true friend laughs at your stories even when they're not so good, and sympathizes with your troubles even when they're not so bad”
Never heard it before. Nice work :)
Thank you
I was hoping the Duck was lating the egg yesterday.
Nothing to hand as yet.
Were only human! Thats always my excuse for mistakes!! Great read:)
Thank you
I think I will have to stop using the excuse and start showing signs of intelligence
I like this hub.
Thank you
I hope you like more
Great page! Definitely a fun read.
Look forward to giving you some more reading
Thank you
working
MrMarmalade says:
8 months ago
Has any one ever committed a similar act of stupidity?