No Something For Nothing Poem by Paul Sebastian

A jobless youth rested
Under a shade of a mango tree, tired
After a fruitless job-hunting whole day
Resigned: disillusioned and in utter dismay

The mango tree branched out to hood
Cooling down his hot and bothered mood
Pitying the youth's dire predicament
Spoke the tree, to his bewilderment:
"Enjoying my cool shade
Over you I've spread? "
Somewhat shaken
Braved a question:
"Did I hear someone, speak
Or is it my troubled mind's trick? "

It's me, your sweet mango tree!
I can help, set your burden free!
You only need to acknowledge me
And I'll reveal you an opportunity!

What can you do for poor me?
You are merely a mango tree!
Okay, tell me what you can do
To make this life of mine, anew

You are youth with a bounty of energy
You can choose to be financially free
You need is a burning desire and an opportunity
To reshape your life, with your God-given ability!

Pray, share your prospective idea
I promise, your advice I'll adhere!
I have a burning need
I promise to work at it until I succeed!

Then, pluck and sell my produce at market place
Make a decent profit, selling at a valued price
Youth obediently did what he was told
Made lots of money from the fruit sold

Youth returning days later, to the tree
And asked an idea for greater profitability

Now, go make bottled pickles with my fruit
Work more, earn more; enhance your livelihood
The youth did what he was told
His income jumped a many-fold
Not satisfied with the fortune gained
The youth chanced another bargain
To accumulate for his posterity
But the tree saw he's grown to be greedy!

The tree proffered counsel
Hoping with some wisdom he'd settle
Understanding, no one owes him a living
Understand, education alone isn't everything
Choose not to live on handouts
Rather create your success tree to enjoy the benefits

Son, there's no such thing as something for nothing,
To want something for nothing is greed
You cannot prosper with this kind of creed
Diligently paying the price of success makes you succeed
Life is fair, it will reward you whatever you willed
But, dear friend, you must persist till you succeed!

1.11.2014