IF WE HAD HURRIED

JOYPEACE

There once was a father who, with his son, farmed a little piece of land. Several times a year they would load up the old ox-drawn cart with vegetables and go into the city to sell their produce. This father and son were quite different: The old man took time to enjoy life. The young son was usually in a hurry…the ambitious type. Early one morning, they started on their long journey with their vegetable cart. The son urged that they walk fast all day and night, and arrive at the market by early the next morning. “Take it easy, Son,” said the old man. “You’ll last longer.” “But if we hurry then we’ll get better prices,” argued the son. The father didn’t reply. Several hours later, they came to an uncle’s home and the old man insisted on stopping for a visit. Later they came to a fork in the road and the old man led the ox to the right because it was prettier. However, the young man didn’t like the scenic tour; he was too worried about getting to the market in a hurry. Finally the old man stopped the ox beside the rippling stream and said, “Let’s sleep here tonight.” His son snapped, “You like sunsets and flowers more than making money!” The old man didn’t react and was soon snoring---while his son tossed and turned all night long. Next day, before sunrise the father and son were on the road again. They hadn’t gone far when they met a stranger with his cart in the ditch. Once more the old man insisted on stopping to help the stranger but again his son resisted due to their wasting more time. Finally around eight a.m, the other cart was back on the road. Then suddenly, a great flash split the sky. What sounded like thunder followed. Beyond the hills, the sky grew dark…. They hurried on quickly. At last, late in the afternoon, they got to the hill overlooking the city. They stopped and stared down at it for a long, long time. Both of them were silent. Finally, the young man put his hand on his father’s shoulder and said, “I see what you mean, Dad.” They turned their cart around and began to roll slowly away from what had once been the city of Hiroshima(广岛).