Mr. Minser owned the only general store in town. He was friends with many of the farm estates from whom he bought wheat, corn, chicken, and beef. They would often come to give him deals, and do business with him. The only people who purchased from his store were the estate's servants, except for Mr. D, the man who sold him the beef and chicken. Mr. D had 15 children, one of whom was 18 and accompanied his father almost everywhere. There was only one large wheat estate nearby, as well as other large estates in the area. Any other nearby estate was at least two hundred miles away.
On a busy day, four businessmen entered his shop. They were the men from whom he had borrowed a loan one year ago in order to purchase a much-needed supply of corn and wheat. However, he was still unable to pay back the loan.
"Look," said one of them, seeming half-asleep, "you need to pay your loan."
Suddenly, there was a shout as someone tried to enter the shop, but the crowd of chatting people inside the doorway prevented them.
It happened to be his sister with her four little kids with their pocket money who liked to buy candy. His sister simply grabbed an apron, smiled, and said, "Busy day, huh?" before going into the back of the store.
"I want four candies," said the youngest, timing up to the counter and putting down his money.
"Ok, just wait one minute," he replied.
Just then, Mr. D entered with his two oldest sons. "I have got a parasol for you, plus I need my rifle back. I asked you to fix and clean it the other day," he said. "Oh, and I got this list. I don't really know what's on it, save ginger. My wife wrote them down. She ain't feeling good these days."
Mr. Minser nodded, taking the parasol from Mr. D and examining it. "I'll get your rifle back to you in a couple of days, Mr. D. And don't worry, I'll take care of the items on the list for you."
As Mr. D handed him the list, Mr. Minser glanced at it and noticed that along with ginger, it also had items like flour, sugar, and salt written on it. He made a mental note to gather those items from his store for Mr. D.
Meanwhile, the four businessmen grew impatient and raised their voices. "We've been waiting too long, Mr. Minser. We need our loan paid back." One of them crossed his arms and tapped his foot, clearly frustrated.
"I understand your concern, gentlemen," Mr. Minser responded, trying to remain calm. "Times have been tough for the store, and I apologize for the delay in repaying the loan. I assure you, I am working on it."
Just then, the youngest child of Mr. Minser's sister, who had been waiting patiently, piped up. "Mister, can I have my candies now? I've been waiting for a long time."
Realizing his sister's children had been forgotten amidst the chaos, Mr. Minser quickly turned his attention to them. He smiled warmly at the youngest child and handed him four candies, making sure to give the correct change.
"I'm sorry for the wait, young man," Mr. Minser apologized. "I hope you enjoy your candies."
As the businessmen continued to voice their impatience, Mr. Minser tried to calm them down. "Gentlemen, I promise to pay back the loan as soon as I can. The crops this year were not as profitable as expected, but I am doing everything I can to improve the store's finances."
Just then, Mr. D's eldest son spoke up. "Mr. Minser, my father told me that he would be willing to extend the deadline for the loan repayment. He understands the challenges you're facing and believes in your ability to overcome them."
This unexpected offer from Mr. D's son provided a glimmer of hope for Mr. Minser. He thanked the young man and turned to the businessmen with renewed determination.
"Gentlemen, I am grateful for your patience and understanding. With the extension provided by Mr. D, I assure you that I will repay the loan in due time. I value our business relationship and will work hard to regain your trust."
The businessmen exchanged glances and nodded, seemingly satisfied with Mr. Minser's response. They left the store, and Mr. Minser breathed a sigh of relief.
Turning his attention back to his sister and her children, he asked if they needed anything else. Seeing his sister's tired expression, he offered, "How about I pack some groceries for you and the kids? Consider it a small token of appreciation for your understanding amidst all this chaos."
Grateful, his sister thanked him, and Mr. Minser began gathering the items on the list, making sure to include the ginger and the other essential household supplies.
Despite the challenges he faced, Mr. Minser remained determined to keep his store running and maintain his relationships with the local farms. With each transaction, he learned the importance of balancing various responsibilities and priorities to ensure the success of his store and the well-being of those around him.