Palmer was a farm boy. He was born and raised in the
countryside, learning how to grow his own food, how to take care of cattle
stock, how to survive without technology. He didn’t feel he was lacking
anything. Mainly because he had never had it in the first place to miss it.
He loved being outside, in the fresh air and the unlimited
possibilities nature could offer.
But one season, the family’s seeds all perished from a
severe draught. The parents were too old to start over and they sent Palmer into
town to find a solution, at least to get new seeds so they could salvage their
land.
Palmer was soon lured by the town’s marvels. He was won over
by the easy life, the quick money, the superficial ties. To him, it was a
different world.
He soon forgot why he was there.
He was drawn into gangs and betting games. Fell into the entrapment
of women who seduced him and he immediately lost his initial money and any sums
he succeeded in gaining thereafter.
But there was one woman who realised he was being played.
Alice approached him in order to set his mind straight.
He was mesmerised at her sight. And he tried to grope her
like all the rest asked for. But she turned and slapped him instead.
It made his head spin. But at least it opened his eyes.
Palmer soon returned to his good, old self. Alice helped him
find good quality seeds that would help his family revive the farm. And they
returned to the countryside together.
Alice had asked him years later what it was that finally
awoke him from his trance in the city. He replied it was something she told
him:
“You are fighting the
wrong battles. Stop looking that way; it’s not where you’re going”.
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