The Umpire: A Fable

In a tight pennant race, the two contending teams met on a Saturday for the "Game of the Week." Both teams were talented, the race had drawn interest and the game was watched by millions. It was 0-0 in the seventh when the batter hit a liner into right-center field. With the play before him and seeing an opportunity in the close, important game, the man tried to stretch the hit into a double. The strong-armed fielder cut the ball off and fired a good throw to second. The second baseman tagged as the runner slid in.
"Safe!" the umpire cried, but threw a hooked thumb out as an "out call."
Both the runner and the second baseman looked at him in confusion.
"What was it?" the runner said.
The umpire replied, "Oh, you were safe but five million people on TV saw me call you out so you're out."

Moral: An authority will lie and deny the truth to maintain his appearance and dignity.

The Ruby, A Fable

A young woman I knew years ago was suddenly orphaned by an auto accident that killed both her parents. Terrified and stricken by the loss and its unpredictability, she took all of the insurance money and, after funding her education, bought gold. "And one ruby," she said. "Why the ruby?" I asked. "To pay the boatman," she answered.
Moral: Always put enough money aside to pay for essentials should the need arrive. Expect the need will arrive.  And always have enough money hidden to escape, to pay the boatman.