The Deaf Man and the Man Who Could Hear

One day, a Man Who Could Hear met a Deaf Man. The Man Who Could Hear told the Deaf Man how sad he was for the poor Deaf Man, how much of life he was missing. They spoke a few minutes longer, and suddenly the Deaf Man began to cry.

Confused, the Man Who Could Hear asked him, "Whatever is the matter?"

The Deaf Man replied, "I am so sad for you, all the parts of life that you are missing!"

The Man Who Could Hear was confused, "What do you mean? I'm not missing anything, you are! You have never heard the music of Beethoven, or heard the lark sing!" He listed many beautiful sounds, becoming ever more sad for the Deaf Man as he spoke.

The Deaf Man watched him speak, reading his lips patiently and taking in all that he said. When the Man Who Could Hear finished his list, the Deaf Man responded.

"This very morning, my friend, I sat on my porch and watched the sun rise. When did you last see the sun rise?"

"Well, I don't recall," responded the Man Who Could Hear, "I'm usually at work before the sun comes up."

"Ah," the Deaf Man said, "that is a very reasonable reason to miss the sunrise. Just this afternoon, I walked outside and made snowballs during my lunch break at work. When did you last take a walk and play with the children?"

"I am a very busy man, I cannot affford to play with children. Besides, I would look rather foolish playing with snowballs in a suit!" the Man Who Could Hear said.

"I see," the Deaf Man nodded. "Those are very sensible reasons. I must say, earlier today, I ate the most delicious cheesecake. It was at the Cheesecake Factory. Have you ever been there?"

"No," the Man Who Could Hear said, "I am on a diet, cheesecake is out for me until I've lost 20 pounds. Doctor's orders, you know."

The conversation continued for a few minutes. The Deaf Man recognized the reasonableness of each reason presented by the Man Who Could Hear as to why he did not or had not done various things.

At long last, the Deaf Man said, "This is why I am so sad for you, friend. Because you have 5 fully functioning senses, but you do not take time to enjoy even one of them."