There once was a servant who had a master. The master was kind and spent his days caring for his business.

The master told his servant, “I’m a busy man. I do not need you to take care of me, but to secure the fence, the property, and the road; so that I may conduct business and care for my family.” The servant vowed to do this for a simple sum.

All was well, until one day the servant said, “Master, to maintain the grounds I must manage the smithy, for without adequate smithery, the grounds will not be safe.” The master said, “Then by all means, you must also manage the smithy.” The servant vowed to do this for a compound sum.

And all was well, until one day the servant said, “Master, to maintain the smithy I must manage the kitchen, for without a good eatery, the smithy cannot work.” The master said, “Then by all means, you must also manage the kitchen.” The servant vowed to do this for a borrowed sum.

And all was well, until one day the servant said, “Master, to maintain the kitchen I must manage the staff, for without adequate supervision, the kitchen will not provide.” The master said, “Then by all means, you must also manage the staff.” The servant vowed to do this for a journaled sum.

And all was well, until one day the servant said, “Master, to maintain the staff I must manage the household, for without adequate compensation, the staff will not attend.” The master said, “Then by all means, you must also manage the household. The servant vowed to do this for a promised sum.

And all was well, until one day the servant said, “Master, to maintain the household I must manage the ledger, for without adequate financing, the household will not run.” The master said, “Then by all means, you must also manage the ledger.” The servant vowed to do this for no sum.

And all was well, until one day the servant said, “Master, to maintain the ledger I must manage the business, for without a large divestment the ledger will not suffice.” But the master disagreed. “This is my business,” he replied, “I am responsible.”

“Not anymore,” the servant retorted, “You didn’t build it! It is I who secured the land, patrolled the road, sustained the smithy, supplied the kitchen, inducted the staff, organized housekeeping and paired the ledgers. You are no longer sufficient to the task.” “That is true,” the master agreed, “Then by all means, you must also manage the business.”

And with this, the servant became the master.

The End