parable #2

there once was a man. let us call him john.
john had a pocketwatch. it was very old.
so old in fact, that it had been passed down from father to son for nearly two hundred years. now it belonged to john.
curiously though, the ancient time piece was always accurate.
never did it tell the wrong time, not even once.
and john was very proud.

one day john was out on a stroll, when he bumped into a good friend of his.
let us call him jimmy.
they were engaged in a pleasant chat when john, as was a habit of his, started toying with his prized timepiece.
'y'know john,' jimmy piped. 'you should get that gizmo checked. a watch so old must be in some sort of disrepair.' 'i wouldn't be surprised if you're right!' exclaimed john. 'i'd hate not to sort out the minor issues before they escalade into a frightful problem. i say we go to a clock shop at once.'
and off they went.

'handle it carefully now.' quavered john, as the watchmaker slid a thin crowbar-like tool into the watch's side. 'easy does it. we wouldn't want to ruin the delicate inner workings.'
'keep yer pants on, gov'ner.' the clocksmith retorted. 'i deal with these beau'ies from dawn t' dusk. now if you'll excuse me... #######!' and the watch slid out of his fingers a clattered onto the floor.
'my watch! my watch!' cried john. 'my beautiful watch! you broke it! you broke it! you broke it!'
'look what you've done!' joined in jimmy. 'you ruined a priceless antique heirloom!'

'don't know what yer yammerin' about mates.' the expert said defensively. 'look at yer piece. it hasn't got even one bloomin' cog in it...'

and sure enough, he was right. the watch was completely empty.

and the watch never worked again.