The Godfather and His Godchild

A worldly-wise collector, who had trotted the globe collecting everything he could shoot, or buy, or make off with, called upon his godchild, a little girl of five, after a year of collecting in various countries of the world.

“I want to give you three things,” he said. “Any three things your heart desires. I have diamonds from Africa, and a rhinoceros horn, scarabs from Egypt, emeralds from Guatemala, chessmen of ivory and gold, mooses’ antlers, signal drums, ceremonial gongs, temple bells, and three rare and remarkable dolls. Now tell me,” he concluded, patting the little girl on the head, “what do you want more than anything else in the world?”

His little godchild, who was not a hesitater, did not hesitate. “I want to break your glasses and spit on your shoes,” she said.

MORAL: Though statisticians in our time have never kept the score, Man wants a great deal here below and Woman even more.