Short Stories

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C O M M O N S E N S E

“The Game”

Once upon a time or so the story goes, there was a young girl, who liked to play games all day. Each day she could be found dabbling with one game or another. One day on her way to town she came upon the devil in disguise. "Come play my game, “ he teased.

"But, I have no money," she replied. "Look into your pockets and I'm sure you'll find all the money you will need," he smiled. Reaching down deep in her pockets, she was amazed to find a wealth of gold coins – each marked with words like words like principles, virtues, promise, character, and tomorrow.

"Sit down my child and spin my wheel and should you win five gold chips, I will
fulfill your every desire. Gladly she sat down and began to play with the words running over her lips, “I will be great someday!"

With every spin of the wheel, she came closer to her dream and lost all meaning of time. Days turned into weeks, weeks into years, but she sat and sat playing the gold coin she had. All the time hearing the words, "Spin, spin, spin you’ll surely win!" from the lips of the deceiving devil. And with each turn, she was heard to say, "I will be great someday, someway!"

Tomorrow spun off into history and like with all games, it had to come to an end. "My last coins to play for all others I have lost," she reflected.

"But just one more chip and you will win your dream. Play!" the devil raved. Placing the last coin down and watching the wheel spin her eyes focused in on the lights and the dream that awaited her. She had lost everything, but this time it was different. This time, she had made the right moves. This time, all the elements of the game seemed to be in her favor. This time, she just knew she was going to win. Her lucky number was just three ticks away.

"Ah," the devil signed. "You lose!"

Turning and walking away with nothing more than the memories of the spins of the game in her mind, she thought about what could have been. Now, youth, beauty, and virtue all disappeared in the playing of the game and she walked slowly away an old women. But on her lips was the thought, "I could have been something, I could have been someone.”


COMMON SENSE SAYS: Games come in different forms like drugs, alcohols, and sex but none is more rewarding than the game of life. Play it to win.

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