Interview with a Grain of Sand

A reporter balked at his assignment for the week. Too insulted to keep quiet, he complained, “I’ve never talked to a grain of sand before!” “Yet, you must become meek and DO it,” was the response. To the beach, he walked. He zeroed in on one insignificant (he thought) grain. “Hello, down there—uh, well, Grain. As a reporter, I’ve been told to interview a grain of sand.” Observers, thinking him insane, fled. One called 9-1-1. This grain was quite bold: “Why, yes, I’d be honored to share my thoughts today. What would you like to know?” The reporter asked, “What is your purpose on earth? In what way are you significant?” That the reporter felt unfairly tasked was quite apparent. Not at all caught off-guard, Grain responded, “Mr. Reporter, I feel I am here to symbolize~~ YOU and to help arrogant people like you, who find it so hard to face your tininess. You fail to realize each of you is just one more wee speck on this vast Earth. The reporter rebuked Grain: “You are likening yourself to ME?! You are a grain of SAND; I am a human of inestimable worth~~~ His next words, to the police, were a fevered plea: “Why are you cuffing me? I must make you understand I’m a star reporter doing my job.” The officer said, “I won’t fail to do my duty. When people on the beach yell at the sand, I have no choice but to haul them off to jail!”