Pondering at Twelve
The school kids surrounded Joey and Tom and chanted “Fight, fight, fight, fight.”
Joey was the first to act: “Dude, Tom, you’re so lame. L-A-M-E, man. Lame.”
Tom came back swinging: “I’ll show you lame.” And he made a zippering motion over his mouth. Then he stuck his tightly clenched mouth out to spite Joey.
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Joey said. “Dude you couldn’t get any lamer than you are now.”
Tom responded by giving Joey the finger.
Joey beat Tom up pretty bad after that, even though Tom was much smaller than Joey. Tom kept his word however, he never spoke again.
The interesting thing about the story of Joey and Tom is what they went on to become.
Joey became a noted speech pathologist. His work led directly to end of 99% of speech impediments the world over. He was even short listed for the Nobel Prize. Over five thousand people attended his funeral. The moment of silence asked for near the beginning of the service brought nearly everyone in the room to tears.
Tom’s lack of communication skills meant he was unable to get a job, socialize, or function on a normal basis. He lived most of his life on the streets. Begging was difficult without speech, but he managed to get by. He managed to outlive Joey by three years. He was alone when he died silently in a garbage can, but he died happily. He had won the fight.
Joey was the first to act: “Dude, Tom, you’re so lame. L-A-M-E, man. Lame.”
Tom came back swinging: “I’ll show you lame.” And he made a zippering motion over his mouth. Then he stuck his tightly clenched mouth out to spite Joey.
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Joey said. “Dude you couldn’t get any lamer than you are now.”
Tom responded by giving Joey the finger.
Joey beat Tom up pretty bad after that, even though Tom was much smaller than Joey. Tom kept his word however, he never spoke again.
The interesting thing about the story of Joey and Tom is what they went on to become.
Joey became a noted speech pathologist. His work led directly to end of 99% of speech impediments the world over. He was even short listed for the Nobel Prize. Over five thousand people attended his funeral. The moment of silence asked for near the beginning of the service brought nearly everyone in the room to tears.
Tom’s lack of communication skills meant he was unable to get a job, socialize, or function on a normal basis. He lived most of his life on the streets. Begging was difficult without speech, but he managed to get by. He managed to outlive Joey by three years. He was alone when he died silently in a garbage can, but he died happily. He had won the fight.
posted by Jesse @ 12:08 AM
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