On the first day, God created the cow. God said, "You must
go to the
field with the farmer all day long and suffer under the sun,
have
calves and give milk to support the farmer. I will give you a
lifespan
of 60 years." The cow said, "That's kind of a tough life you want me
to
live for 60 years. Let me have 20 and I'll give back the other
40."
And God agreed.
On the second day, God created the monkey.
God said, "Entertain people,
do monkey tricks, make them laugh I'll give you
a 20-year lifespan."
The monkey said, "How boring, monkey tricks for 20
years? I don't think
so. Give me 10 years and I'll give you back the other
10."
God agreed again.
On the third day, God created the dog. God
said, "Sit all day by the
door of your house and bark at anyone who comes in
or walks past. I
will give you a lifespan of 20 years." The dog said, "That's
too long
to be barking. The monkey gave you back 10, so that's what I'll do
too,
okay?"
God sighed – and agreed.
On the fourth day, God
created man. God said, "Eat, sleep, play, have
sex, enjoy. Do nothing, just
enjoy. I'll give you 20 years." Man said,
"That sounds great – but only 20
years? No way, man. Tell you what,
I'll take the 20, and the 40 the cow gave
back, and the 10 the monkey
gave back and the 10 the dog gave back – that
makes 80, okay?"
"Oh, all right," said God, "you've got a
deal."
And this is why the first 20 years we eat, sleep, play, have
sex,
enjoy, and do nothing; for the next 40 years we slave in the sun
to
support our family; for the next 10 years we do monkey tricks
to
entertain the grandchildren; and for the last 10 years we just sit
on
the porch and bark at everyone.