A story, which was supposed to have taken place in the early 1900s speaks of a man who had worked hard all his life, earned a fortune, been a good husband, father, employer and friend. He had given generously to charities and treated all men fairly. Living that kind of good life, as you might imagine, was most wearying. That’s why one day the man woke up, looked in the mirror and decided, “It’s time for a vacation. I’ve earned it.” A trip to America seemed like just the ticket. Two days later he was standing on the docks, prepared to board a liner headed for New York. He was ready to go on the trip he had earned through his many acts of selfless sacrifice. Finally, he found himself at the front of the line. The cruise company’s representative asked for his ticket. He replied that he had no ticket; had felt no need for a ticket. The representative informed him without a ticket he couldn’t go aboard. The man listed his many good deeds. It was, as I’ve already said, most impressive. He summed up his position by finally declaring, “I am sailing on this ship. I’ve earned my vacation." The representative summed up his position with the words, “No ticket, no travel. You may have been good, but nobody’s goodness will let them take this trip.”
