On The Way To Market

A maiden on her way to market was stopped along the road by Addiction.

"Maiden!,"called the stranger to her politely, "I am told by the gods in the Garden of Pleasures that you have no addictions, no one to champion your good times. I am Nicotine and I would be flattered to make you my princess and call you my very own. I would make your life a thing of boundless joy, beyond anything you can imagine."

"What would be my investment?," the maiden asked.

"Ahhhh, that," responded Addiction, and without hesitation added, "Your health, your energy, your wealth, your peace, your self-confidence, your courage, your self-respect, your dignity, your happiness and your freedom."

"And my gain?," the maiden wondered aloud.

"Death, sickness, frustration, anxiety, palpitations, cancer, emphysema and heart disease and any others I can bring you."

"But I'm told you are legal?," said the maiden, confused.

"And so I am legal!," replied Addiction, "in fact, legal and lethal."

Sure she must be dreaming, the maiden ignored the stranger and continued on her way to market, topping a grassy hill and disappearing down the far side into the distance.

"Oh, Young man!," she heard the voice call out to another passing traveller, "I see you have no addiction to call your own. I am Nicotine and I would ask a moment of your time to explain the endless joys I might bring to your life ... a life rich with sickness ... frustration ... anxiety ... destruction of health ... ruination ... tragedy ... and finally great suffering, sorrow and death..."

A ray of sunlight suddenly shone through a rain cloud and caressed the maiden warmly, filling her with great comfort and happiness. She was glad such a silly dream had passed.