“Over the years I lifted <br />more napkins from Nathan’s Famous restaurant <br />than any man alive, ” said Sam. <br />“How long you been stuffing your pocket? ” I asked. <br />“42 years.” <br />“Any napkins from Burger King? ” <br />“ONLY NATHAN’S, ” he hollered <br />with the fervor of one who long ago <br />found his true calling and never wavered. <br />Being unemployed I figured <br />the man was on to something <br />and set about to follow in his footsteps <br />avoiding Nathan’s for obvious reasons. <br />I visited Burger King for a week <br />then Saturday night did the counting <br />988 napkins <br />not bad for a novice. <br />Next week I broke a thousand and <br />after a month I had plenty of napkins but <br />the thrill of petty theft was gone and <br />as I stared at the bags of napkins <br />mused, what’s Sam do? <br />“So, Sam, I was wondering <br />whatta you do with your goods? ” <br />“Sell ‘em to sundry eatin’ emporiums, ” he said. <br />“From this you make a living? ” <br />Not answering my question <br />directly he said, <br />“My own boss <br />work when I want <br />bend the knee to no mortal <br />without worry <br />I ply my trade.” <br />“I guess you get by all right.” <br />He stared into my eyes <br />not blinking <br />“I am this day <br />and for the last 42 years <br />a happy man.” <br />Overwhelmed by <br />the unmistakable <br />force of his words <br />I shook Sam’s hand <br />and understood <br />for the first time <br />how a human life <br />flourishes.<br /><br />Charles Chaim Wax<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/napkins/
