Fate

A young man journeyed round the world In a quest for greater knowledge. He did pursue the secret truths, That weren’t revealed in college. His search led to a mountaintop Where a prophet old and wise Stirred from his silent reverie And smiled without surprise. “You seek to be enlightened, That is plain enough to see. But I will only answer once, What would you ask of me?” The young man thought a moment Of questions small and great, Before asking, in a tremor voice, “Please tell me, what is fate?” The prophet beamed quit broadly And threw his arms out wide. “It is that which burdens donkeys And comes in with the tides!” “It is that which crosses oceans, And binds great nation states! Its path leads it to humble towns And tears fall when it’s late!” As the prophet smiled serenely And made to speak no more, The traveler slowly realized That he knew less than before. “Wait!” He cried, “This cannot be! Sir! How could this be fate?” The prophet looked quite mystified. “I thought that you said “freight!””.