The Parable of the Bagels

When they were boys, Zarathud and Van Van Mojo lived in the same neighborhood, but they went to different schools.

Every morning, Zarathud's teacher would send him to the corner store for bagels. Zarathud was very proud of this responsibility.

One day, on his way to the store, he ran into his friend Van Van. "Where are you going?" he asked.

"I'm going wherever my feet carry me," said little Van Van. Zarathud was perplexed by this response, so when he got back, he told his teacher what had happened.

"That Mojo boy is a troublemaker," the teacher said. "Next time you see him, ask the same question. When he gives you his answer, you say to him, 'And where would you go if you had no feet?' That should fix him."

The very next day, on his way to the store for bagels, Zarathud saw Van Van again. "Where are you going today?" he asked.

"I'm going wherever the wind blows me," Van Van said. Zarathud was flummoxed, and again he told his teacher what had happened.

"Next time, you ask him where he would go if the wind stopped blowing," said the teacher. "That will get him for sure."

And the next day it happened that the two boys met again. Zarathud could barely restrain himself as he burst out, "And where are you going now?"

"I'm going to the store to get bagels," Van Van said.

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