The Simple Farmboy

This is a reworking of an traditional Pennsylvania German folktale that celebrates (with humor) the pleasures of a simple way of life. Both Old Order Mennonites and the Amish continue to thrive as they have for centuries, shunning modern conveniences— not just cars and computers, but even zippers— and living close to the land, and maintaining their unique, historic German dialects.

In the story, the Simple Farmboy resists the farm owner's kind offer of comforts. Then, leaving the farm after years of hard work, the farmer hand him a lump of gold as a farewell gift., the Farmboy makes a series of trades that leave him with nothing but the clothes on his back. The book ends with him shedding those clothes and going for an evening swim, feeling deliciously free.

In his cottage, the Simple Farmboy had just one chair, one plate, one fork, one spoon, and one knife. — The Simple Farmboy lived in a tiny house next to the barn. He had one bed, one coat hanger, one chair, and one table, and a single fork, spoon, and knife.

Just as the sun went down, the Simple Farmboy came to Farmboy Farmbo

Just as the sun went down, the Simple Farmboy came to a broad river. He looked around to make sure he was alone. Then took of his clothes, put his pocket watch in his sat, and stepped into the cool clear water. “Free,” said, speaking to himself. Little fish tickled his toes, and he laughed.