Tales From The Mind of Thomas

Inside a small building sat an office, the space was small. Two waiting benches sat beside the door an old slender merchant with charcoal grey hair passed through as a bell chimed. A clerk sitting behind a wooden desk with a large leather-bound book greeted him. “Hello, sir, is there something I can help you with today?”
Walking up to the clerk, the merchant introduced himself, “Yes, I would like to rent a stall for today.” He asked politely.
“Certainly,” the clerk responded, “That will be five silver coins for the day in the main square, or three for the outskirts of the square.”
“I will take a spot the main square please,” the old merchant said, handing the coinage to the clerk. The clerk put the silver coins in the small chest she grabbed from under the desk and wrote the merchant’s name and stall number he would be at in the record keeping book. “You will be at stall number 14 for today.”
The merchant thanked the clerk and walked out. “We’re at stall 14 for today. Let’s hurry and set up.” Three young men followed the merchant to their assigned spot. They quickly put up everything they’re selling today and arranged them in an attractive display.
“Your clothes are a bit filthy.” The old merchant remarked before reaching into his coin purse. “Here take this and buy some cleaner clothes.” Taking the coin they’ve been given, they did what the man asked them to do, returning a little while later. “Looking much more presentable now.” The man stated. “Come now, we’ve got goods to sell!”
Making their way behind the stall, the merchant explained to the three the art of selling. “We need to attract customers, negotiate prices, and make as many sales as we can.” he explained. “Remember, a good salesman knows how to sell the product, but a great salesman knows how to sell the story behind the product. Now that doesn’t apply to everything, an apple or a simple farming tool doesn’t have a story to tell. But a sword does!”
“How long should it take to tell the story?” One asked.
“You need to be quick!” The merchant exclaimed. “You need to catch the buyer’s ear. Draw them in quickly. But you also need to look at the buyer. If you are selling a sword, someone like our mercenary friends isn’t interested in the story of the sword, but the story of how it’s made. The quality of the blade, how it was forged, who forged it and the lands it came from. For a sword is their profession.”
“What if they aren’t a mercenary?” Another asked.
“Well, then it’s how it was used in battle. Which hero wielded it. How many slain enemies blood has the blade tasted.” The man answered. As the merchant explained the art of selling, a potential buyer approaches the stall. Looking over the variety of items on sale, the buyer’s eyes get caught on a simple but intricately design necklace. “Excuse me, merchant,” he said. “Could you tell me about this?” pointing to the necklace.
The merchant, gently picking the piece of jewelry up from the table, “This piece was inspired by nature.” He began explaining. “The leaves are made from copper, left to oxidize, and then polished to a shiny beauty. The band is made from sturdy leather, hand-sewn with care.”
The buyer starts to closely examine the piece of neckwear with curiosity. “Interesting, but why should I care about it? What’s special about it?” The customer asked.
A smile crept onto the face of the old man; he knew he had to seal the deal. “This necklace represents the cycle of life.” The merchant explained. “The leaves are based on the leaves you would find on a birch tree. Every year, the leaves of the birch go through the cycle. There is birth, growth, and death. Every creature goes through this cycle of life. And life is a beautiful thing to have and hold dear. Tell me sir, do you have someone special in your life?”
“Yes, my wife.”
“Well, by gifting this beautiful piece of art to her. You are telling her you love her as much as you love your life. In fact, your life began once you met her. Flowers are overdone. Everyone knows about flowers, but it’s the leaves that gives the tree life. Your wife gives you life. Why else would it rhyme?”
The buyer, studying the jewelry begins to smile. “You’re right!” He exclaimed. “My true life did start with her. How much for this beautiful statement of my love?”
“5 gold coins or 15 silver.”
“Deal!”
The buyer hurriedly grabs 5 gold pieces and places them in the palm of the merchant. In excitement he rushes home to gift his wife the symbol of his love for her. The merchant turns to his companions. “You see, it’s all about the story.”