Once Upon A Time

There was a farmer called Sam who lived in a little village together with a number of neighbours. Sam had the biggest farm among them and became quite bully-ish when dealing with his neighbours. Some of them liked him, or maybe they just pretended to like him because they were scared of him. Sam didn’t get along with all of his neighbours. One in particular was John.

Sam never liked John much. John never joined the late night parties he hosted when invited. Sam also saw John spanked his boy occasionally. I mean, what kind of parenting is that? Thought Sam. And then, one day, Sam saw John bringing home a brand new shotgun. He was furious. Doesn’t John know that that is one dangerous weapon? I’d get the sheriff to take away his gun.

So Sam and the sheriff, who always listened to Sam, approached John one day, demanding that he surrender his new gun. What, why? John was perplexed. I’m not doing anything wrong. People could get hurt. I was only going to shoot ducks for food, for my family. Still, the gun could be used to hurt people. What about you Sam? You own many more guns than me. Ah, but I’m different. John was outraged and felt that he was being treated unfairly. Before anyone realized, the two had started fighting. And to cut the story short, Sam shot John. John didn’t survive the shot.

Both Sam and the sheriff were shocked at how the event turned out, but still thought they were doing the right thing. They told the villagers of how John had criminal tendencies and deserved to be shot. His family mourned quietly as he was buried.

At the funeral, Sam saw a fierce face glaring at him. John’s boy had murderous looks on his face. Hah, I knew his pa never taught him manners. Doesn’t the kid understand it was just self-defence? The sharp look sent shivers down his spine all the same. I must buy more locks and guns. Yes, that should do it, more locks and guns.