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, coming 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. It's ingredients to make some sort of tea, I heard." He then frowned.
"I'll get it for you," Minser said. "Exactly when was she supposed to have the baby?"
In a week
, Mr. D replied.
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, coming 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. It's ingredients to make some sort of tea, I heard." He then frowned.
"I'll get it for you," Minser said. "Exactly when was she supposed to have the baby?"
In a week, Mr. D replied.
After hearing Mr. D's response, Mr. Minser nodded understandingly. "I hope everything goes well for your wife," he said with a sympathetic tone. "I'll make sure to get the items on the list for her tea."
Mr. D expressed his gratitude and handed over the parasol he had brought for Mr. Minser. As Mr. Minser took the parasol and placed it aside, he glanced at the businessmen who had been waiting for their turn to speak.
"I apologize for the delay," Mr. Minser said, addressing them. "I'm aware of my debt to you and I assure you that I haven't forgotten. Business has been slow lately, but I'm working as hard as I can to pay it back."
The businessmen exchanged doubtful glances, but one of them spoke up. "We understand your situation, but we can't keep waiting forever. We need that money back soon."
"I understand your urgency, and I'll do my best to gather the funds," Mr. Minser replied earnestly. "In fact, if you all would give me a little more time, I might be able to procure a deal with the nearby wheat estate. They have been considering a partnership, and if that goes through, I'll be able to repay the loan in full."
The businessmen seemed slightly more convinced, but they remained cautious. "We'll give you one more month," one of them said sternly. "If we don't see any progress by then, we'll have to take further action."
Mr. Minser nodded gratefully. "Thank you for your understanding," he said sincerely. "I won't let you down."
As the businessmen left, Mr. Minser turned his attention back to the counter, where the youngest child from his sister's family was patiently waiting. He smiled warmly at the child and said, "Alright, here are your four candies. Enjoy!"
Mr. Minser continued to serve the customers in his store, hopeful that he would soon be able to settle his debt and regain financial stability. He knew it wouldn't be easy, but with his strong relationships with the local estates, he was determined to find a solution that worked for everyone involved.