BRATTLEBORO — Susie Crowther's piece [“Plan A,” Viewpoint, April 25] puts me in mind of an old story.
An old man is sitting at the top of a hill, in view of a small town, when he is approached by a young traveler. The traveler says, “What are the people like down there?”
The old man says, “What are the people like where you come from?”
“Oh, they are just awful - whiny, selfish, cranky, miserable.”
The old man says, “Yep, that is just what the people in that town are like.” And the young traveler moves on.
A little while later, another young traveler comes along and asks the old man the same question: “What are the people in that town like?”
“What are the people in your town like?” the old man asks.
The second traveler says, “Oh, they're great! Warm, friendly, kind, helpful, generous!”
And the old man says, “Yes, the people in the town below are just the same.”
I do hope Susie finds happiness, but I mistrust it will be as easy as changing geography.