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Another Fable about Research

A man steps out onto his gardened terrace for a muse on contentment - how elusive is a definition, how varied it might be.

Yet he finds himself listing to-do tasks: sweep up; water plants; dead-head flowers; roll-up hose; season pervil for tomorrow's roast. . .

. . .his cell-phone interrupts!

It's his son urgently asking, "Dad, you got a 1980 calendar handy?"

"Come on, Son. First, it's halfway through oh-eigh. . ."

"I know, Dad," his son cuts in sharply. "You have one?"

"Sorry, Son."

Once again in pleasant tones, the son says, "No prob, Dad. Love ya," and cuts off.

After a meditative moment, the man picks up his favorite chair - several years now rescued from a dumpster - and places it in a shady spot. He eases into it and sighs as he looks about the messy terrace.

Then he smiles himself a broad one that beams of total satisfaction.

His quest has found him.

Moral: Disguised in motley cloaks, Happiness indulges.