They were here. They were at paradise. They were not only the wealthiest group of individuals on Earth but also the most successful. And to stave off their boredom, they decided to come here, to an island of seclusion and one of the highest esteemed resorts in the world, in order to escape the hectic chaos of everyday life.
Now, however, there was a problem. Garbage. Everyday, it seemed another scrap of trash piled up in the bin. The lid cannot even close any longer, but what can be done?
As they sat in the lobby one evening, the smell of garbage overwhelmed them. One of them suggested they take out the garbage. Easier said than done.
”Just who would be in charge of doing that,” retorted another. “The burden of the entire group should not rest on one individual.”
Someone else suggested there be a taking of turns each week for who carry out the task. However, such an idea was flawed. What happened if the garbage became full before the end of the week? More importantly, who would be first to take out the garbage?
The group thought heavily. The group thought deeply. The smell began to suffocate them, and their brows began to sweat.
Finally, one of them pointed at the man in the far corner. “You!” he cried. “You should take out the garbage first! It is your trash that resides in that bin!”
The other man stood up, shocked at being accused. True, he put in much of the trash, but it wasn’t all his trash. The two men argued, trading fingers and tossing words.
Finally one person stood up to address the rest. “Quiet everyone!” the person said. “This is stupid. We’re being stupid.”
A few grumbled and were about to shout but were quickly hushed up.
”Seriously now,” the person continued, “what has society come to? We’ve worked our way up through the world, to heights others could only dream to reach -”(the room applauded)” - and yet we have trouble with garbage? What is wrong with you people?” (the room booed)
After a moment of silence, someone challenged the standing one, “Well then, what is your solution if you’re so smart?”
The standing one scoffed. “I thought you’d never ask. My solution is simple. We hire someone to do it.”
There was a murmur throughout the room. Why that’s genious! . . . Why didn’t I think of that? . . . Now that’s more like it . . .
And so a servant was hired. The room never stank again. The servant himself was happy as well. It was the easiest money he’d ever made. He was earning by the week what his friends would normally earn in a year. Best of all, the job was simple. All he had to do was press the “Dispose” button on the trash bins; everything else was automated. The servant didn’t know why the other men didn’t just do it themselves.