Ben+Franklin


 * //The Whistle//

Summary:** Within this short story, Ben Franklin touches deeply upon the imperative aspects of morality and vice among mankind, and thus offers a deeper symbolic insight into the nature of happiness within the human condition. Franklin provides various examples of immorality within the world around him, while at the same time providing examples of good living in relation to the 'whistle' that has taught him much knowledge about friendship love and charity. The first part of this story provides an early childhood lesson on the material value of a whistle that Franklin had purchased as a child. Providing that he paid more than what the 'whistle' was worth, he took it upon himself as a learning experience and decided he would never again pay too much for anything. Moreover, Franklin discusses a deeper meaning of the 'whistle', by explaining a person has "paid too much" if he essentially becomes too avaricious for material possessions, where instead he should try to maintain the joyous and necessary things in life such as friends, health, time, etc.


 * Reflection:** I agree with the message being put forth by Ben Franklin within this passage. Franklin is explaining through this story that you do not want to favor one thing in life because you will forget about other things in life just as important to you. Many of the people in this story have "paid too much" for their whistle because they become too caught up in what they don't have and forget about what they have that's special to them, mainly because of avarice. Donald Trump is a prime example of a man who has paid too much for his whistle because he has become so focused on making money, that he treats his significant others with such disrespect.

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