there was a Fur Trader. He traveled far and wide, peddling furs, trinkets and valuable commodities wherever he went. Over a couple of years he grew tired of his trading company, Blue Sky, who demanded he travel further and further from his home, with less and less compensation for the number of furs and trinkets he peddled.

On the road one day, he ran into the Headhunter. Over a hot cup of grog at the Headhunter's campsite they talked: "Oh Headhunter, my trading company keeps me out among the many scattered tribes and hordes for weeks and months at a time--I never see my family; my dogs grow tired, sick and weak. I love what I do, but there must be another trading company I could serve that would treat me with more humanity!"

"Never fear, Fur Trader, for I've heard tell that you're the greatest Fur Trader in all the kingdoms. I personally know several trading companies that would love to have you peddling your wares for them!"

So it was. The Headhunter made discreet inquiries to some of the trading companies he knew and, indeed, Golden Trading, one of the most respected trading companies in the realm indicated they would love to meet the Fur Trader.

The Golden company met several times with the Fur Trader. After a month of such meetings, the Chief offered the Fur Trader an opportunity to peddle their wares in a territory that was much closer to home, offered a larger percentage of pelts than his old trading company and promised a bright future, if the Fur Trader were to continue his success.

The Fur Trader was locked on the horns of a great dilemma. Should he stay or should he go? He prevailed on Chief Golden to give him an extra week to make up his mind. He consulted with his wife and family--they told him to follow his heart. He remained more confused than ever.

Finally, his day of reckoning arrived. Chief Golden needed an answer, as winter was coming and he needed a Fur Trader to sell to the villages and other areas, one way or another.

The Fur Trader accepted. All that was left to do was to tell his current Chief at Blue Sky his decision. When he confronted his trading company they promised to cut down the length of his travel. They guaranteed a higher number of furs than he'd ever received in compensation. They promised him both a new sled and a new litter of prime sled dogs. He agreed to stay.

The Fur Trader went back to the Golden Company with his new decision, based on the tremendous counteroffer from Blue Sky: "Great Chief, I thank you for your generous offer to trade for Golden, but I believe I'll stay with Blue Sky for at least another winter."

The Chief couldn't believe his ears. "I don't understand, Fur Trader--you told us over and over that Blue Sky makes you travel further and further from your family; that they change the number of furs you earn each time you return from a journey; that they don't give you respect; that your family grows weary of your travel; your dogs grow weak, tired and sick--is that not true?"

"Why, yes, Chief--what I said was true."

"I'm confused--why would you stay with a trading company like them?"

"They promised things would be different and I'm uncomfortable leaving them so close to the winter. Besides, the monster I know is less frightening than the monster I don't."

"So be it," the Chief muttered.

Two months later, it turned cold. The Fur Trader was directed to take his dog sled ever further into the wilderness. He missed Christmas with his family. His lead dog, Rudolph, died in the wilderness. He returned home only to find Blue Sky had reduced his share of pelts again. The Fur Trader had developed pneumonia and gave it to his wife and children.

"Dear Wife," the Fur Trader said, "Find the Headhunter. See if Golden would still like me to sell THEIR furs!"

The Fur Trader's wife transversed two miles on their second dog sled with only four small dogs well enough to pull her along, until she reached the campsite of the Headhunter: "My husband the Fur Trader asked me to find you. You helped him to meet with Chief Golden a couple of months back."

"Yes. And he turned the Chief down."

"That was before the harsh, cold winter!"

"So, what has changed?"

"Blue Sky sent him away even further; it made him sick; it killed his lead dog; he can't go on like this! Please help us."

The Headhunter sent a smoke signal to Chief Golden, inquiring if he was still interested in the Fur Trader. The reply filled the cold winter sky the very next day: "Headhunter, why would I possibly be interested in a sick old man without his lead dog? We offered him a chance before the hard winter and he turned us down, breaking his word. His lack of heart and forked tongue branded him an untouchable to our trading company. Besides, we already found a Fur Trader who is proud to represent Golden. With his profits he just built a larger lodge, took on a new wife and they're expecting their first child."

The Headhunter went to the beleaguered Fur Trader with the answer. After a coughing spell of nearly five minutes, the Fur Trader looked up at the Headhunter with red, teary eyes: "I made a grave error. Is there any other trading company that will have me?"

The Headhunter couldn't believe his ears. "My friend, you prevailed on me once to set a high level pow-wow with the Chief of the best known traders in the realm. They were more than generous in their interest and their offer. They could have changed your life; instead, you changed your mind and turned them down. I've lost face with Chief Golden. The Chief has lost face with his people. What assurance have I that you won't do the same thing again?" The Headhunter shook his head sadly and took his leave.

The Fur Trader survived. His wife and children made do with no new blankets that winter. She ended up leaving him for a Deerslayer the next spring. His best sled dogs all died over the winter. He took off to trade for Blue Sky the next spring a broken man.

Don't miss a Golden opportunity for Blue Sky.

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