Synopsis by William Disbro, created from: In The Ever After. by Allan Chinen,
(pp 85-93)
An old man without wife or family had worked hard throughout his life and wished to share some of his savings so he bought a gold bracelet and had it delivered anonymously to whom he was told was the most beautiful and virtuous woman. Perplexed by the anonymity but in gratitude she returned a greater gift. The old man didnŐt need or want the gift so he had it delivered anonymously to the most handsome and virtuous man. The man returned an even greater gift to the old man. Again, the new gift was delivered to the woman and an even greater gift was returned only to be passed on to the young man. Eventually, the mother and father of the princess became involved and they seek the identity of the donor. The old man is terrified to host the King and Queen and contemplates suicide but two angels intervene and they furnish a palace with servants and food for a grand reception. The King grants marriage of his daughter to the old man but he declines as being too old but he suggests the young prince in his place who had been receiving the princessŐs gifts. So the young couple was married, the King and Queen were happy and the old man could still cut grass as he wished.
Dr. Chinen writes about generativity in this tale but it is joined by the equally major task of the development of integrity. (p 90) The old man has many chances to change his life but he knew who he was and did not compare his life to others or ask unanswerable questions such as what if I did?… He surrendered his pride when he collapsed and then the angels came to reward with psychological wealth. (p 93)
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