![\"\"](\"https:\/\/pulsperry.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/513834485_741195258405498_3340962552119662566_n.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
He spent the first few weeks of his retirement in peace and contentment.<\/p>\n
Then a new school year began.<\/p>\n
The very next afternoon three young boys, full of youthful, after-school enthusiasm, came down his street, beating merrily on every trash can they encountered.<\/p>\n
The crashing percussion continued day after day until finally, the wise old man decided it was time to take some action.<\/p>\n
The next afternoon, he walked out to meet the young percussionists as they banged their way down the street.<\/p>\n
Stopping them, he said: \u201cYou kids are a lot of fun. I like to see you express your exuberance like that. In fact, I used to do the same thing when I was your age.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201dWill you do me a favour? I\u2019ll give you each a dollar if you\u2019ll promise to come around every day and do your thing.\u201d<\/p>\n
The kids were elated and continued to do a bang-up job on the trash cans.<\/p>\n
After a few days, the old-timer greeted the kids again, but this time he had a sad smile on his face.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis recession\u2019s really putting a big dent in my income,\u201d he told them.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom now on, I\u2019ll only be able to pay you 50 cents to beat on the cans.\u201d<\/p>\n
The noisemakers were obviously displeased, but they did accept his offer and continued their afternoon ruckus.<\/p>\n
A few days later, the wily retiree approached them again as they drummed their way down the street.<\/p>\n
\u201cLook,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI haven\u2019t received my pension cheque yet, so I\u2019m not going to be able to give you more than 25 cents. Will that be okay?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cA lousy 25 cents?\u201d the drum leader exclaimed.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you think we\u2019re going to waste our time, beating these cans around for 25 cents, you\u2019re nuts! No way, mister. We quit!<\/p>\n
And the old man lives peacefully.<\/p>\n