A Fable about a Fable: The Fountain of Youth

   Once there was a selfish old man who had been traveling a great distance to search for the fabled Fountain of Youth. He crossed many deserts to get there and he eventually ran out of water. The man panicked and threw down all of his empty water cans onto the sandy ground. Then he sank to his knees and began to cry. Eventually night fell, and he finally lifted his head. Before him stood a young boy.

   The boy said, “Listen here, the gods have seen your suffering and have decided to reveal to you the Fountain of which you seek.” The man didn’t respond. The boy repeated himself and then held out his hand for the man to take.

   Finally the man said, “Take me to this fountain and I will be eternally grateful.” The boy led him to an altar that held an ancient book. The man was bewildered.

   “Where is the water?” he asked. The boy frowned.

   “The Fountain of Youth isn’t a real fountain. That’s just what it’s called.” At this the man became angry.

   “No water?” he asked.

   “None,” the boy answered, “But if that is what you prefer then I will give it to you.” With that the altar became a small waterfall and the man rushed forward, cupping his hands to drink his fill. But he never stopped drinking. You see this man had offended the gods and they wanted to punish him. They gave him water and yet he would always be thirsty, therefore he would waste his life trying to quench his thirst. The gods let the man have immortality but he could never leave the waterfall. He would always be thirsty for the Water of Life. The more water that he let drip from his mouth and hands, the more time went on. If only he had a way to collect all the water then time would stop, finally quenching his thirst. Alas, there was no bucket in sight and to this day he continues to drink from the fountain.