Contentment

[330 words] There was a father who was known by his family to be a chronic growler. He complained about everything. He was sitting one day with his family in the presence of a guest in the living room when the subject of food came up. One of the children, a little girl, was telling the guest what food each member of the family liked best. Finally, it came to the father’s turn to be described. “And what do I like, Nancy?” he asked. “You,” said the little girl slowly, “Well, what you like most is anything we haven’t got.” There are some people like that, who simply are never content. If they’re served one food, they want something else. If it’s hot outside, they want it to be cold. If it’s cold, they want it to be hot. And they’d rather be ANYWHERE else other than where they’re living…