The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

BE PREPARED

ONE DAY A TOURIST WAS WALKING ALONG THE SHORES OF A LAKE IN
IRELAND. HE CAME UPON AN OLD CASTLE AND SAW AN OLD MAN IN A
GARDEN. THE FRIENDLY GARDENER LET THE TOURIST IN AND SHOWED
HIM AROUND THE GROUNDS WHICH THE OLD MAN KEPT IN PERFECT ORDER.
THE TOURIST WONDERED WHEN THE OWNER HAD LAST BEEN THERE.
"TWELVE YEARS AGO."
"DOES HE EVER WRITE TO YOU?"
"NO."
"FROM WHOM DO YOU GET YOUR INSTRUCTIONS?"
"FROM HIS AGENT."
"DOES HE COME?"
"NEVER."
"WHO, THEN, COMES HERE?"
"I AM ALWAYS ALONE. ONLY ONCE IN A WHILE A TOURIST COMES."
"BUT YOU KEEP THIS GARDEN IN SUCH FINE CONDITION, JUST AS THOUGH
YOU EXPECT YOUR MASTER TO COME HERE TOMORROW."
THE OLD MAN PROMPTLY REPLIED: "TODAY, SIR, TODAY!"

Submitter comment: TO ENFORCE HER ADVICE TO ALWAYS BE PREPARED, THE INFORMANT TELLS
THIS LITTLE STORY:
INFORMANT IS A NATIVE OF IRELAND AND SHE BELIEVES THAT SHE HEARD
IT AS A CHILD BUT SHE SAYS IT IS POSSIBLE THAT SHE DIDN'T HEAR
IT UNTIL SHE CAME TO BOSTON AT THE AGE OF 14.

Where learned: WASHINGTON DC

Date learned: 11-04-1967