Ulysses the Fool

By P D Wells

"I can't believe how much I have enjoyed reading this book." R Van Eyden

• Language: English
• Publisher: P D Wells
• Release date: May 14, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370747818

P D Wells

P.D.Wells has a degree in fine arts and and a diploma in education. He now lives in the rain forests of eastern Australia.

Book preview

Modern Fable

Part 2

Ulysses

The

Fool

By

P.D. WELLS

When is the second-best time to plant an oak tree? – W Buffet.

Dedicated to you.

Copyright 2016 P.D.Wells.

Manuscript consultant and editor Dr Peter Merrington. Published by P.D.Wells at Smashwords.

First published 2016.

PLEASE NOTE : This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely co-incidental.

Contents.

Chapter 1. Eurostar

Chapter 2. Paris:

Chapter 3. Berlin

Chapter 4. Venice

Chapter 5. Barcelona

Chapter 6. Freiburg

Chapter 7. Frankfurt

Chapter 8. New York Museum of US Finance

Chapter 9. NYSE

Chapter 10. Ash’s speech

Chapter 11. Twelve inches of paradise

Chapter 12. Bowling Green Park

Authors note.

Chapter 1. Eurostar

When he booked out of his hotel in London it was a raining. The low grey sky was leaking drizzle. It darkened the old stone buildings and dampened his mood. But he wasn't alone.

Indifferent pedestrians walked with their heads cast down, their eyes averted. Nobody wore a hat, yet their hair was soaked. Some carried umbrellas, but they didn’t use them. The traffic was heavy, the tyres swishing past in the wet streets as Ash walked by.

At Waterloo Station he found the correct platform for the Eurostar 12.09 to Paris. Then he went through the cursory passport control and security check, and took the escalator up to the waiting train. It all seemed so effortless and fluid. A short walk from hotel to station - take a seat – and, without leaving the ground, stroll into Paris two hours later.

Ash now owned his own Money Fountain, and it was trickling along sweetly. But he wondered why more folks weren't doing the same – weren't taking advantage of the bonanza. Something must be wrong, he told himself. And he wanted to know why.

He was on his way to deliver a speech to the Governors of the New York Stock Exchange, but first he planned to do some sightseeing in Europe, and consult some of his mentors, whose research focused on the psychology of investor behavior

What is it all about? He wanted to know more. People have good ideas, and do their homework, yet they fail to implement those good ideas. Why did the fail to commit? What prevented them from taking control of their destinies, and ending their servitude to banks? Ash hoped that the mentors would provide some insight.

At 12.09 the Eurostar glided smoothly out of the station. Picking up speed, the train whisked Ash through tunnels, deep cuttings and over viaducts. From the window he caught glimpses of south London. After twenty short minutes the train burst into the open farmlands of Kent. Most of the fields had been ploughed and readied for planting. Ash loved the smooth speed of the train as it made a beeline for the coast.

Will you be having wine with your lunch? asked the stewardess in her smart blue uniform.

No thank you, said Ash. "I’ll rather have some orange juice.

The young woman returned with his freshly squeezed orange juice, and a tray with his lunch. He raised his eyebrows. He wasn’t expecting anything so elaborate, but it did look good. The starter was a terrine de poulet et de broccoli served with chutney de tomatos. This was followed by a lightly peppered salmon fillet, with coupe de chocolat for desert. Ash didn't understand French, and the names alarmed him, but not so the taste.

Ash finished the chocolate pudding. He sipped an espresso and relaxed back into his seat. He looked out at the view – the fields and villages of Kent, as they slipped past his window. He breathed a sigh of contentment. And as he did so, his solitude was interrupted.

Excuse me sir, said a young man whom he hadn't noticed. Aren't you Ash - the author of the Money Fountain?

Yes, I am, said Ash, sitting up.

I've attended some of your talks, and recognized you. Do you mind if I join you?

Please do.

My name is Ulysses.

That’s strange, said Ash.

Why is it strange? asked Ulysses, as he settled himself in the seat opposite Ash.

I've just been reading a book about you.

Ah! Ulysses smiled. Which one, Mr Ash? The Iliad or the Odyssey?

The Odyssey.

Where are you?

Ulysses is on a long sea-voyage with his companions and he's just managed to escape the Sirens.

Oh yes! The part where he gets his crew to plug their ears with beeswax and tie him to the mast! He wants to hear the Sirens' seductive song - but he doesn't want to be abducted by them. He wants to hear their song, but he doesn't want to be drawn in.

That’s right, said Ash. And it's quite a message, isn't it?

Please explain, asked the young man.

Well. You have to understand the temptations of life, and you've got to steel yourself against wasting your hard-earned cash on unnecessary desires. Look at what happened to some of Ulysses’ companions. They didn't block their ears, and they got seduced. They jumped overboard into the sea, and were drowned. And then the Sirens then dragged their corpses into an underwater grotto and slowly feasted on the rotting flesh?

Young Ulysses, sitting opposite Ash, pulled a face. Gory stuff, he said, I know the story. And they call Ulysses a hero, but I don't think he was such a great guy.

What do you mean? asked Ash.

Well... um... he was bad news for Ithaca.

Go on. Explain. Ash was intrigued by this.

He was the king of Ithaca. That means, he was supposed to be responsible for his nation. But his crew – his loyal companions - all came from Ithaca, and they all died. And then, when Ulysses finally got home to Ithaca, he killed all the suitors who were in his palace hoping to win the hand of his wife Penelope.

And so?

Well ... because of Ulysses Ithaca lost another hundred of its best men. All up, in my humble opinion, he was a disaster for Ithaca.

‘Good point’ thought Ash. A high casualty rate.

It was a new take on the story of Ulysses and it made Ash think. Ulysses was known to be an outstanding leader, but he'd managed to upset the gods. They wanted pay-back, and on his return home to Ithaca they took their revenge by setting countless obstacles in his path. By using guile, intelligence and determination, Ulysses outfoxed the Gods and made it home to his beautiful wife – where he then had to face the suitors. He outfoxed them as well. As the younger Ulysses now suggested, the outcome wasn't good for Ithaca. Was there a better, more intelligent, less disastrous way that Ulysses could have got back home?

Ash was impressed. He looked with interest at the young man. How can I help you? he asked.

I was hoping you could advise me. I understand the principles of the Money Fountain – it all makes complete sense. But I can’t get to implement them.

What do you mean?

Okay. I found the Money Fountain relevant. I found the principles of it easy to understand. But I can’t get started.

"What do you mean ‘you can’t get started’?" Ash was intrigued. It sounded as if his research mission about the psychology of investing was about to begin.

I can’t get to save my 10% and start investing.

Ash nodded sagely. He reflected. People understood the principle of the Money Fountain – yet they couldn't commit themselves to the routine. Why not? It was so simple – yet few did. It puzzled him. Why would one want to remain a slave? Yet people seemed to offer the neck to the collar willingly.

What are your reasons for this? enquired Ash.

I don't know, said Ulysses. I – I just don't seem to have the confidence. Investing seems too complicated. One needs to be an expert, and I am not.

Do you mind if I take notes? asked Ash. He got out his notepad and pen.

Old school, commented Ulysses with a grin. He had a laptop in a bag on the seat beside him.

Pen and paper work for me, said Ash. Do you mind?

No - not at all.

Go on then, said Ash clicking his pen.

The stock market seems too complex, began the young man. And I know very little. I'm not an expert. It intimidates me. Then, on the other hand, the Money Fountain sounds too simple. And it sounds too good to be true. Ulysses continue to reel off a list of reasons - or excuses. Also, I fear stock market crashes … and I don’t feel right about the ethical side of business. I don't want to invest in a company that has bad business practices. I mean, I want to make money. But I don't want to feel bad about doing so.

Strange as it may sound, said Ash putting down his pen, I am, at this very moment, on my way to conduct research into this very matter.

What matter? asked Ulysses.

Why intelligent folk, like yourself, can’t commit.

Commit to what exactly? asked Ulysses.

To purchasing their freedom from slavery, said Ash. He spoke slowly. He was serious. "Please allow me to remind you that the best place to get money to