#214 Kevin Brophy 'A Children's Tale'

#214 A Children’s Tale 

Once a young, wealthy man fell in love with a beautiful woman. She fell in love with him as well and for a while they were happy in each other’s company. When they were no longer happy together the woman said she wanted to leave him. He gave her both his arms and asked her to keep them as a reminder of their love. Soon he fell in love with an older woman of great poise and wit. She fell in love with him too, and even loved him for what he did not have. Eventually they became unhappy and the woman said she wanted to leave him. He gave her his feet and legs before she went and said to her that these would be a reminder of their love. As the years passed, he continued to fall in love with remarkable women, gradually giving away his ears, his heart, and his eyes. After this he more or less gave up hope of being in love ever again. He had many health problems too, and needed a carer 24 hours a day. Strangely enough a woman of his own age with fiery hair and a deep laugh fell in love with him and told him him she wanted to live with him for the rest of her life. But I cannot love you, he said. I cannot love you because I do not have anything left to give. The fiery woman loved him so much she gave him her arms, her legs, her eyes, ears and heart. Once she had given him everything he had lost, he stood up and looked at her and did not recognise her.