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Friday, June 20, 2003
Flavier: The parable of the honest farmer
By Juan Flavier
THE farmer was known in the barrio as an honest, incorruptible man.
Even in adjoining barrios throughout the whole town, his name and very person was synonymous with integrity. Neither anomaly nor slightest suspicion was ever associated with him.
Each year, at fiesta time, he was the assigned custodian of all the donations and collected funds. When the credit union was organized he was selected treasurer by public acclamation.
Though he lived a simple and frugal life there was one item, which this honest farmer had long desired.
A piece of equipment, which unfortunately, his finances would not allow him to purchase.
It was a betamax video player. This was the only thing he would take a second look at whenever he visited the appliance store in town. All others did not mean a thing to him.
As treasurer of the barrio council, he had often been offered various gifts by suppliers transacting business.
From fine clothing material to pieces of jewelry. He consistently refused. To him, accepting the token gifts implied participation in some shady or anomalous deal.
A contractor once offered him a hefty amount of cash so he would certify the satisfactory completion of a barangay project. But the honest farmer knew the job performed was substandard.
He had personally inspected it and seen the asphalt layer was not of the prescribed thickness. Predictably, the farmer refused to make the certification.
One day a merchant planning to set up a small appliance store within the barrio offered him a VHS video player. He recognized it as the newest model which made his heart skip a beat. His jaw dropped with intense desire. But he fought off the temptation.
"I cannot accept your gracious gift," the honest farmer declared. "It is not right to accept for free."
"Then suppose I sell it to you instead," said the merchant slyly - almost in a whisper.
"Then that is a different matter," responded the farmer as he leaned closer.
"In that case I shall sell this item to you," said the merchant.
"How much?" inquired the farmer with great interest and expectation.
"Ten pesos!" answered the businessman.
The farmer thought for a while then said, "In that case, give me three!"
(June 20, 2003 issue)
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