The Parable of the Popcorn Popper

Once upon a time, in a city far to the north, lived a family, not a large family, not a small one either. There was a mother, a father and three little girls. They were happy in their home to the north.

One day, as often happens to young families, they found themselves a few days away from payday, with only a small amount of money left to get them through until more money arrived. There wasn't enough to do anything to speak of. Certainly not enough for food for very many days, although the family was fortunate that there was enough food in their cupboards to get them through until the aforesaid payday, if necessary.

The father and mother went to the grocery store, to get a few things they needed. They looked at the small amount of money in their hand so they could carefully decide how best to spend their money. As they went down the aisles of the grocery
store, something caught their eye!

What is this? Why, it is a small appliance most marvelous to behold! It's a.......................popcorn popper. Not just an ordinary popcorn popper, it's an air popper. A most marvelous invention, and one that would be much used by this little family.

Why, look! The price is only $14! Do you think............?

Carefully counting the money they had in hand, they realized they had enough to cover the purchase of the popcorn popper, including sales tax. Looking at the few items of food they could have purchased, and comparing it to this marvelous
appliance, a decision was made!

Mother and Father came home, triumphantly bringing their purchase. The young girls wondered why their parents seemed to be so exuberant about buying a few groceries with the pittance they had in hand. Out of the sack came their purchase:

THE POPCORN POPPER! THE SHARPEST LOOKING, YELLOW & WHITE AIR POPPER that $14 plus tax could buy!

The girls were ecstatic! They rinsed off the parts that could be rinsed, set it on the counter, pulled out the popcorn and following manufacturers directions, proceeded to experiment with their new toy. A wonderful smell soon filled the house, and the young girls and their parents settled down with bowls full of hot-buttered popcorn, possibly the best hot buttered popcorn they had ever tasted, with the possible exception of what is available in movie theaters.

To this day this family still remembers the popcorn popper mom & dad bought with the last of their money. They enjoyed many years of great popcorn made from this popper. And they remember how the last money they would see for several days was spent on this popcorn popper. And every time this family would get down to their last few dollars before the next payday, someone would mention this marvelous popcorn popper. And perhaps they would go out and spend the last of their money on something as frivolous as that popcorn popper.

------------------------------------------------------------

Addendum:

Many years have passed since we purchased that popcorn popper back in Seattle in the late 1970's. We've added three more children to our family, and the original air popper was replaced several years ago by a similar model bought at a garage sale. The original air popper served us well for many years. And we notice that whenever we are low on money, or many of our now-grown children for that matter, we usually spend it on something that isn't vital. All in memory of our marvelous air
popcorn popper!