RUTABAGA MAN

The Rutabaga Man.

Yesterday I saw him parked at the quick stop with his pickup filled with collards, mustard greens and super rutabagas. Had to stop. He said $4. Wow great price for such a huge bunch of homegrown. But when I opened my purse the moths flew out and I only had $2.

I asked, "Will you split the bunch I only have $2?"

He was adamant, "NO!"

It was the end of the day. What was he going to do? Take them home with him? There were several bunches. I thought he didn't trust me and thought I was telling him a tale. I showed him my little wallet and the $2 saying, "I just gave a donation and forgot I only had this much left."

Still, "NO!"

So I drove away. I knew he had made a mistake in not trusting me and thinking I was trying to cheat him. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. Why not take the $2?

So today I saw him. When he saw me he smiled like the sun coming up in the morning. Big smile. He knew he had made a mistake the other day and I felt he was glad I had come back.
There it was the big bunch of rutabagas.

"How much?"

He said sheepishly, "$3" as if to make up for the mistrust yesterday and now we were good friends.

I took them and told him, "You're not asking enough for your stuff. These are beautiful." And gave him $4
what fun.
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