41 Third Servant

Doing nothing about a problem that you see takes almost no time at all, and it's amazing how well rested you might feel at the end of doing nothing. I can imagine the third servant who buried his talents sleeping well knowing what he was entrusted is safe in the ground. He had checked carefully all around after all. He had spent much time disguising the area, sure that no thieves would discovery his master's money. He could rest, simply existing as his master's servant getting his three squares a day and showing up. The first servant though, buying that lame old mare with the idea of crossing it with a cranky old donkey seemed like a crazy idea. But he knew his master liked crazy ideas. He had heard of traders long ago doing it and producing some of the finest mules there had been. It was a money making venture. The local farmers needed mules. The servant paid attention to this. He figured he could double what his master had entrusted to him if he took the chance. He took the chance. He found the mare. He found the spunky old donkey. His plan began. That next year was a worrisome one. He indeed found himself with a young mule colt, which he promptly began breaking to harness. But he didn't sleep much. It was a troublesome year for farmers. There wasn't much rain and not many had the money to spend on an untested mule for the plow. Regardless the faithful servant held to his knowledge of his master and the hope of the plan. The next year came along with the rains. His mule colt was now strong and had proven itself to work. He even had another colt on the way. He found a buyer and satisfaction was so great he spoke for the colt to come. The sale was a good one. His increase was great. Then he heard word. His master was returning. He was only weeks away. The servants heart was full. He was weary for the past few years, but he had grown what his master had given. His master came in that day he had noticed the old mare on the way up the road. Who's old half lame mare is that eating up the pasture, he inquired. The first servant smiled, knowing the humor in his master's face. He recounted the work of the past few years. The hardship, the worry, the work, and then the fruit. The master leaned back, listening intently, a coy knowing smile on his face. It didn't come as a surprise to him, this conversation with the first servant. He had spent long hours in the field with this servant. He knew him just as the servant had known the master. The master of the house continued on, speaking with each member of his house. He found himself with his third servant. This third servant had worked there for quite some time, but he didn't speak much. He showed up on time, but often had to be reminded of what needed doing. The master often wondered more of his story. He flinched sometimes, when things were tense as though his past had been a troubled one. He never spoke of it but instead went back to his home after a day of work. This day though he brought up the question of what he had entrusted the servant. The third servant shifted in his seat. He had watched what the others had done, but everytime he thought about it he convinced himself the talents were better off buried and hidden so he could return them. It got easier and easier, as the years passed, to ignore what had been entrusted to him. To believe the lie that they were safe. That day had come. The master was back and was asking. The servant was unsure of himself because he didn't know how the master would respond. He reluctantly handed over the talent. His master waited wondering at the rest, but the lazy servant filled the silence with explanation. Excusing his fear, justifying his laziness, and pretending now to believe the lie that had allowed him to sleep well, and in comfort this past years. The master allowed him to go on, until his words ran out. The master's words that day, rang out in the mind of this third servant. You wicked and lazy servant. He was cast out that day. Never to return to his master's house. To this day it wasn't the loss of comfort and security of a job and a place to be, but it was the look on his master's face that day. It was hard to describe, but it was etched so clearly in his memory. As his master listened that day, anger was not what had shown. It could be expected but it was something else. It was sadness. As he reflected, this third servant wondered what could have been. He remembered a thought he had had, so long ago. It was shortly after his master had left but before he had buried his talent. He noticed something, his thumb was a green one, and a forgotten fish thrown casually at the root of the date tree had seemed to make it blossom all the more. It crossed his mind that day that if this were indeed the case then his master's increase might be unimaginable. For he had many date trees. The thought came and went that day to the servant, for he wasn't about to spend his only talent on as many waste fish as could be bought. Simply to spread them around, waiting like a fool to see how the dates might grow. It was the next day he buried what his master had given. He had once thought he buried it to avoid being the fool, but now he was not so sure.