Jim was an old bachelor...
Illustration
Jim was an old bachelor who farmed in the district since he was a young man. No one
could remember where Jim came from anymore, and no one knew of any family that he
had. Jim was a good farmer who dedicated his life to working his land and keeping his
cattle. When Jim reached 65, he sold his cattle, but continued to work his land. His health
was good and, as he had no hobbies outside of his farm work, he figured he might as well
keep working. "Besides," he was often heard to say, "there is still money to be made on
those fields, and I might as well be making it."
Everyone wondered if Jim would ever retire and if he did, what he would do after he sold his farm. They never got an answer. It was a particularly bad autumn. Rain fell almost continually, the geese arrived early on their migratory journey south and trampled the grain; snow was not far off. When it finally dried enough to begin harvest, farmers worked round the clock to get the harvest in. So did Jim. But rush combined with little sleep is a disastrous potion. In his haste to move the grain auger from one granary to another, Jim neglected to look overhead. He ran his auger into an overhead power line. He was electrocuted immediately.
Jim had no will, no heirs, and had made no provisions for his estate. Like the fool in Jesus' parable, Jim worked hard and was successful. When he died, it was all left behind.
Everyone wondered if Jim would ever retire and if he did, what he would do after he sold his farm. They never got an answer. It was a particularly bad autumn. Rain fell almost continually, the geese arrived early on their migratory journey south and trampled the grain; snow was not far off. When it finally dried enough to begin harvest, farmers worked round the clock to get the harvest in. So did Jim. But rush combined with little sleep is a disastrous potion. In his haste to move the grain auger from one granary to another, Jim neglected to look overhead. He ran his auger into an overhead power line. He was electrocuted immediately.
Jim had no will, no heirs, and had made no provisions for his estate. Like the fool in Jesus' parable, Jim worked hard and was successful. When he died, it was all left behind.
