Once upon a time there was a gentleman farmer known to his friends as GC. With keen foresight and good farming principals, he built the most successful farm in the land. He was so proud that he owned a magnificent and beautiful cow named Pauline. Lords and Ladies traveled from near and far to visit GC's farm and bask in the glow of the Beautiful Pauline. There was something magical about the Beautiful Pauline that everyone could see but no one could put into words.

In a nearby town lived Farmer Avalon. He was young and aggressive and had a dream of owning the grandest herd of cattle in the land, but only owned a lowly bull named Alfredo. If only he could breed Alfredo with the Beautiful Pauline to create the grand herd of his dreams.

One day Farmer Avalon had a brilliant idea and traveled to visit Farmer GC. GC, he said, I know of your love of the Beautiful Pauline but you are growing old and the chores of the farm and caring for Pauline must be a great burden to you. I have had an idea and am sure in your wisdom that you will find my proposal fair and grant favor to it.

Farmer GC, you should give me your farm and the Beautiful Pauline for say, 100 years. I will breed the Mighty Alfredo with the Beautiful Pauline and produce the grandest herd of cattle in the land. In return, I will tend to the farm's chores and groom Pauline every day to maintain her beauty for the rest of your life. Of course you may continue to live in your farmhouse by paying me a mere 450,000 pieces of gold each year. In return, I will walk the Beautiful Pauline past your house every day on the way to pasture and in the distance you will be able to see the grandest herd of cattle in the land that I will own. Pauline is so beautiful, you will be so happy.

I will build a grand inn on the farm and provide the kingdom with fresh beef and milk for sale. I will build a special entrance for you alone so that you may purchase fresh beef and milk at everyday retail prices. Pauline is so beautiful, you will be so happy.

Farmer GC thought about Farmer Avalon's proposal at great length. It was difficult because he had grown old and very confused. What should he do? Who will care for his Beautiful Pauline?

Every day Farmer Avalon would visit Farmer GC and tell him that he was the only farmer in the land who could care for the Beautiful Pauline and that his proposal was fair. When GC agreed, he could then live happily ever after. Each visit would end with Farmer Avalon saying: Pauline is so beautiful, you will be so happy.

Family and friends who visited the farm discussed Farmer Avalon's proposal with GC. Some said that they knew of the love Farmer GC had for the Beautiful Pauline and that her beauty should guide his decision over anything else. Others encouraged GC to remember the good farming principals he had used to build the grandest farm in the land. They said there were other paths to follow. GC could hire more farmhands to tend to the chores and groom Pauline. He could buy a bull himself and raise the grandest herd in the land. Alas, GC became so confused, so confused. He could not reach any decision.

Days turned into months, months into years and decades passed. As time passed, Pauline grew less beautiful. The heated discussions about the Beautiful Pauline and Farmer Avalon's proposal replaced tending to the chores of the farm as disrepair and disarray set in. The Lords and Ladies of the land no longer came to the farm because they grew weary of the controversy and arguments about the Beautiful Pauline and Farmer Avalon's proposal. Other farms became so much more desirable to visit.

Eventually, the Beautiful Pauline passed away, soon followed by Farmer GC. The grandest farm of the land was no more and was sold at auction to the local peasants.

There are two morals to be learned from this very grim tale of Farmer GC and the Beautiful Pauline. One should never let the pursuit and rapture of beauty dominate and replace good farming principals. And, beware the Farmer Avalon's of the world who seek success and wealth but have nothing more to offer other than bull.

The End.

Richard Bankosky