I was walking on a path many had traveled long before I had, and many will after I have, and until their time comes it is my time to walk among the millions of footprints still etched in the mud. As I was walking a man approaches and he calls himself my friend. He spoke so kindly it was almost hard to understand why he pulled out a knife and told me "give me your money or I can take it the hard way." Shocked, I accuse myself for falling for this trap of the thief, but then he reassured me, "Don't worry, this money will go to your protection, for down this road there are many wolves, bears, and thieves that will try to harm you, but I will keep you safe, just give me your money." Noticing his point, for the path did seem dangerous and I had no protection I actually felt safe giving him my money. When I do so and the man says, "I will go back into the woods, but don't worry, I will be there if there is a problem."
I continue down my path, and as I do there is no harm that comes near me. I realize the wolves he warned me about were foxes, and the bears he spoke of were just rabbits. There was no thief who tried to hurt me, but a beggar approached and asked if I had money. "No" I said, "I gave it to the man back down the road for my protection."
"There are no such things along this path that will harm you. The man was a thief that made you feel safe, and you paid him for safety you never will need. He stays down there along the path and steals from everyone else just as he has stolen from you."
"I will go back and get my money from him then-"
"It's to late for he is the strongest man around with an even sharper wit and tongue. Retrieving this money would result in your death."
"Well then what shall I do now?"
"You become what I have," the beggar said, "a victim of taxes."
I continue down my path, and as I do there is no harm that comes near me. I realize the wolves he warned me about were foxes, and the bears he spoke of were just rabbits. There was no thief who tried to hurt me, but a beggar approached and asked if I had money. "No" I said, "I gave it to the man back down the road for my protection."
"There are no such things along this path that will harm you. The man was a thief that made you feel safe, and you paid him for safety you never will need. He stays down there along the path and steals from everyone else just as he has stolen from you."
"I will go back and get my money from him then-"
"It's to late for he is the strongest man around with an even sharper wit and tongue. Retrieving this money would result in your death."
"Well then what shall I do now?"
"You become what I have," the beggar said, "a victim of taxes."
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