Evidence

 

Y

es, Sir, we have a very nice, quiet cottage for you and  your wife,” said the landlord to the young couple.

“Oh, we’re not married,” replied the man. “This is just my girlfriend.”

“Oh, just a couple of new romantics, eh?”

“Actually, not. We’ve been together for six years.”

“Six years? Why in the world haven’t you gotten married?” The landlord was taken aback.

“What for?” asked the  young man. “A marriage certificate is only a piece of paper. It’s meaningless.”

“I see. Well, here’s your room key.”

“Thanks. And here are the keys for the valet parking.”

“Well, thanks for the car.” The landlord began to strut toward the couple’s car and toss the keys as if he thought he owned it.

“What are you talking about? I gave you the keys so you can park it for me. Hey, where are you going?”

“It’s my car. You just gave it to me.”

“No, I didn’t. And if you don’t get out of my car, I’ll call the police.”

“So? I’ll tell them you gave it to me and they’ll take my word against yours. I’ve known many of the officers on the force for years.”

“But I have the pink slip,” objected the young man, clearly growing upset.

“The pink slip? That’s only a piece of paper—which is, as you say, meaningless. And don’t tell me you have the registration, too. That’s just more meaningless paper. See you.”

“Where are you going?”

“To my new home at 214 Willow Street.”

“No, you’re not. That’s my house.”

“Says you. But they say possession is nine tenths of the law. And I will soon be in possession.”

“But I have—.”

“And you might guess that I don’t care if you have a grant deed. That’s only piece of paper, too.”

“If you try to take my car and my house, I’ll sue—.”

“That would be great. Then you can testify as a witness for my side, affirming your recently spoken belief that the documents you are now referring to are only meaningless pieces of paper.”

 

 

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X The value of many things lies in the meaning we have ascribed to them, not in their physical existence.

 

X Someone who pays $57 million for a three hundred-year-old painting is not buying merely a few ounces of oil paint on a canvas.

 

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Questions for Thought and Discussion

1. This story is obviously a fairy tale that would never happen. So what is its purpose?

2. Why do each of the pieces of paper exist? Are they necessary?

3. Can you think of other “meaningless” pieces of paper in common use today? What purpose do they serve?