The unlucky man

Michael Cook - The Weary Traveller

That's one of my favourite story I found many, many years ago at  the awesome place in Oxford - The Oxford Story Museum. Listen ...

There was once a man who thought himself unlucky. He thought his house was too small, he didn't have enough friends, he never had enough money and he didn't even have a wife. - Mum, why does everyone else have more luck than me? - he asked his mother one day.

- Maybe you should ask the oldest and wisest woman in the world - she replied - She lives at the top of the magic mountain. And the unlucky man set off to meet the wise woman.

He walked and walked until he met a wolf. The wolf was old and thin and covered in maggots.

- Where are you going ? - asked the wolf.

- I'm going to asked the wisest woman in the world how I can get more luck - said the unlucky man.

- Then ask her why I'm so sick and tired - said the wolf.

The unlucky man agreed and continued up the path…

A day later he came to a tree by a river. The tree was short and thin and had no leaves.

- Where are you going? - asked the tree.

- I'm going to ask the wisest woman...

- Then ask her why I can't get water - said the tree.

The unlucky man agreed.

A day later he came to a cottage. In one of the window he saw a beautiful young woman.

- Where are you going? - she asked.

- I'm going to ask the wisest woman...

- Then ask her why I'm so sad and lonely - she replied.

The unlucky man agreed…

When the unlucky man finally got to the top of the magic mountain, he asked the wise woman his question.

To his surprise the wisest women said:

- You have plenty of luck, luck is all around you. It's on your way home. Find it and celebrate it. Then you'll be happy.

So the unlucky man headed for home. A day later he passed the beautiful girl in the village and told her the good news about his luck.

- And did you ask my question? - she enquired.

- Yes. The wise woman said you were sad and lonely because you needed a husband - said the unlucky man.

- Then marry me - she said.

- Sorry - I haven't got time - said the unlucky man -I'm going home to look for my luck.

And he continued on his way...

A day later he passed the tree and told it the good news about his luck.

- And did you ask my question? - said the tree

- Yes, I did. The wise woman said you can't get to water because there's a big pot of gold buried beneath your roots - said the unlucky man.

- Then dig up the gold - said the tree.

- Sorry. I haven't got time - said the unlucky man - I'm going home to look for my luck.

A day later he passed the wolf.

- Did you ask my question? - asked the wolf.

- Yes, of course. The wise woman said that you should eat the first fool who comes along - said the unlucky man.

And so the wolf ate him!