Fortune and Loss
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Long, long ago, in a somewhat inconsequential province, an honorable man Donato, finally recognized for his brilliance, gained a very illustrious post. From that day on, his guests swarmed to his residence. But when he was dismissed from office on a false charge his residence grew so quiet that you could hear a pin drop. Only one had remained consistent in his friendship. This unassuming young man called Yorick, who was not particularly well off, still called on Donato and did his best to lift the other’s spirits.
After terrible months of hardship the real culprit was caught, Donato was exonerated and reinstated to his former prominence. His so called absentee friends wanted to call on Donato again.
He at once wrote some in bold letters on a placard and had it posted at the gate of his residence. The words clearly stated:
“The best time to determine the mettle of your friends is not when you are exalted but when you are humiliated.
“The best occasion to gauge the genuine sincerity of others’ attitudes is the moment you fall from grace and become pathetic.
“The best moment to uncover those who are earnest and true-hearted would be when one is deceased or, happily, when one escapes death.
“Welcome all who are as true of heart as Yorick.”
The End
