A rich man came along and took a liking to the farmer, and so made him an offer. The rich man owned a business which produced cheeses, pastries, and other rich foods that usually only wealthy people could afford. He would give the farmer his leftovers, provided only that the farmer would consume them all, not waste anything, and not cut into the rich man’s business by giving them away nor selling them.

The appreciative farmer gladly took him up on his offer, which required no more from him than what has been mentioned. He would eat!–and, perhaps with the nourishment, he could regain the way of living he had once known, of which he still dreamed.

A car arrived, and from it boxes filled with all manner of delicacies were set on his poor table. More than he had eaten that week appeared before him. He gasped with delight, his stomach roaring and his mouth watering, and began the task of feeding himself. In all his dreams, he had never envisioned himself consuming such a feast.

Hours passed while he gorged himself. More food appeared, and then days passed while he spent all his time at the task of stuffing himself. He ate slowly sometimes, while the food grew into a frightening mound that would only go away if he ate it.

Years passed while he spent every day at his task. He had learned early on that such fare did not live up to his expectations, and sometimes sickened him. He soon grew dependent upon it, even though it failed to nourish him and provide the energy he had hoped for. He became sluggish, constipated, and pale. When he begged for time to look for a new farm the rich man forbade him. "I have given you all this, and come to depend on you to deal with it," he explained. "I cannot set up a new system for just one day for you. You must work every day, or quit and go hungry."

Eating took up all his time, but he felt unable to quit. One day, he glimpsed his reflection, and saw that he’d grown old and fat, and appeared unkempt and slothful. Seeing this caused him to hate the rich man who had provided so well for him.

The rich man soon heard how he had voiced his disgust, rather than thanks, for his generosity and concern. "Have I not provided you with thousands of dollars in valuable products over the years?" he inquired of the farmer.

"Yes," the farmer acknowledged.

"Then, what is your problem?" wondered the rich man aloud.

"I needed nourishment to survive," the farmer explained, "but you required me to spend all my time eating, and allowed no time for me to take care of myself. Now, my body is ruined by a diet I had never been accustomed to and, for spending all my time at this task you required of me, I have gained nothing and saved nothing of value. I have lost all the abilities and strength I once had. I’d have been better off to have gone hungry while I was younger, than to do so now that I am old, fat, and weak."

"So," the rich man taunted him, "if you can do what I have given you to do, and live, I cannot yet perceive a problem. We have both benefited from this arrangement, have we not?"

"I was strong when we first met, and proud and self-reliant," the farmer countered. "Now, I live; but then, I had dreams, ambitions, and the courage to fulfill them. I thank you for your good intentions, but despise you because I no longer live my own life."