Once upon a time in ancient Rome, there lived a wise old sage who gave counsel to all those who wished his advice. His wit was sharp and, as his advice was prudent and well thought, his fame grew throughout the empire and many flocked to the stall he had set up in the agora.
As time passed the sage's fame grew tenfold. He wrote books appeared on the Davidus LettterManus show and was greatly sought by other cities to be their Sage in Residence. He was kind of a Annais Landeraus, without the bouffant. One day Cairo offered him substantial skekels to be their sage. The offer was more than generous and who could resist all that beach front property? Bidding his fond farewells, he packed his camel, left for Cairo and was seen no more by the good people of Rome. Rumour has it he made an asp of himself in front of Cleopatra and found permanent residence in dirt city.
Meanwhile, back at the forum... The city muckety-mucks decided that they needed a new sage. the Chamber of Commerce ( headed by the popular Barracus Obamawicz ) stated tourist dollars had decreased significantly since the sage's departure. Research indicated another worthy sage would increase revenue, decrease taxes and improve the general welfare ( except for those sent to the Coliseum as "entertainment" ). Runners were dispatched throughout the known world - some say even as far as New Jerseyius - to seek a new purveyor of wisdom.
A most learned man was chosen and the muckety-mucks believed they had gained in the bargain as the new sage was considered quite young, as far as sages go, and his contract kept him exclusive to Rome, with "guest appearances" only through Chamber of Commerce approval. He soon set up his stall in the agora in the departed ( in both senses of the word) sage's spot, complete with "Under New Management" banner and flyers handed out offering two for one deals and gift advice coupons.
But the people grew vexed... They weren't forum, they were against him. "Not witty enough", said some. "Too young", said others.. So, this being ancient Rome, they conspired to have him torn to pieces. They planned to invite him to the latest spectacle at the Coliseum, "Royal Rumble IV - Back to B.C.", hosted by Vinci McManopolous, that Ides of March and arrange and "accident" during the prerequisite tiger mauling act.
The young Sage got wind of the plot ( he was a Sage, after all ) and confronted the conspirators. He told them it was his lot in life to give counsel, not to be a stand-up theologian like Sheckyus Greenus. Besides, he told them his had been trained in Kung Fu while traveling through China by Shaolin priests and was more than a match for any and all of them.
The crowd surged forward, overwhelmed him and tore him to pieces, this being ancient Rome and not some Jackaraius Chanopulous play. Hos replacement, Conainus NoBrainus, kept the populace in stitches but, as we know now, it lead to the downfall of the Roman Empire through his not so sagely advice to those in power.
Moral: It is fine to be taught and entertained at the same time, but given a choice it's best to learn...
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