A Fable about Servitude

The father of a spoiled pre-teen named Barrington was overlord of several valuable up-riverfront properties. A willful, ruthless businessman, he had many rivals on both banks all the way down stream.

His over-indulged only son was serviced by a marvel of a slave referred to only as 'the girl!'. A sensitive woman of uncommon dignity, she lived to satisfy her young master's every whim.

One pleasant afternoon, his classes dismissed, Barrington had a chum over. The boy, also a child of privilege, was gracious and mannerly, and 'the girl' was openly impressed. "You are a good, sweet child!" she complimented as the fellows went to play.

Not long afterwards, there came sounds of crisis from without. Quick to the scene, 'the girl' found the classmate hurting. Seems that while rough-housing in the garden, Barrington had kicked his private parts.

'the girl!', ever solicitous, swiftly administered to the youngster's distress. She soothed his pain, anointed wet warm balm on his bruise until the boy was at peace within his world.

Which definitely was not the disposition then dominating bratty Barrington. Maybe for feelings of betrayal and embarrassment, his let go of a raging temper. He screamed mean words at his wonderful slave, pulled her hair, soundly slapped her face!

Play-date thus ruined, the classmate, astonished, departed.

Next day the story was mean-spirited gossip on the grounds. "Barrington has brutishly bugged out!" "Pig in a castle, he remains the hog." Such were the whispered jeers.

Then more misfortune! As a sullen week later, alarmed posters stated that BARRINGTON was MISSING! All clues suggested that he had been taken by 'down-river' kidnappers. 'the girl', no where to be found, was number one suspect for chief conspirator!

Moral: Thoughtful Slave owns thoughtless Master.