Famous Last Words

There was once a decent man who loved his family, worked hard all his life, never hurt anyone and respected all the laws of his community. And when he came to die he called for his son – a healthy young man of great potential.

"Son," said the old man weakly, for he needed to conserve his breath, "whatever else you do, always do as others ask you."

And the old man died, and the son set forth on his own life, carrying the lesson of a lifetime.

So when his old mother asked him to help about the farm, he performed all the chores as his father had before him; and when his fellow villagers asked him for vegetables or money, he gave freely as his father had advised; and when the ugliest girl in the neighbourhood demanded that he marry her, he married her, in keeping with her wishes.

Which was rather a shame as he had always hoped to leave the farm and settle in the city, and make his name as an actor or a musician. So when he came to die he called for his son – who was as ugly as the mother – and offered him some different grains of wisdom.

"Son," said the old man weakly, for now he, too, needed to conserve his breath, "my old dad once told me to do as others ask – but I think that's rubbish. It is better to do as you please."

The father died; the ugly son sold the farm – and left his mother and his sisters to their fate – and set forth into the city, carrying the lessons of two lifetimes.

There he squandered his fortune on drink and pleasure and the company of students. He made no effort to make anything of life. He travelled the world, left children in every capital – but returned to the city to die. And as he lay on his deathbed he sent for the eldest of his sons.

"Son," said the father – who did not know his own son's name, as they had never actually met before – "my old dad once told me to do as I pleased with my life – as his life had been ruined by doing as others asked him. But I think now he was wrong, and that I have been wrong as well. If you want my advice . . . do both.

"Do whatever people ask you and do as you please. Do what works – I'm sure that's the secret!"

The man died, and the son was consoled by the thought that his father had been such a philosopher. And, well armed with the lessons of three lifetimes, set about building a future for himself.

He worked hard, and when a fascist government came to power, he worked harder to earn its approval. He did as he was asked, he did as he pleased – he gave them maps, he gave them names, he told them everything: he collaborated enthusiastically!

And it worked! He was promoted, he was showered with reward – he grew rich, he reunited all his relatives. And when the government was deposed the entire family was sentenced to death.

"People of the city!" this final son announced to the crowd that had gathered to watch him die, "if I might pass on a few final words of advice . . . Don't do what people ask you. Don't do as you please. But if it works – then don't do that either!"