Not very many years ago a young woman gave birth to her first child just one month after her husband died in a tragic accident. The neighbors, who were deeply concerned over the plight of the poor young widow, held a shower for the baby. Each person brought a beautiful present to help the mother and child get started in life.
Mrs. Binz, who lived across the street, brought a small crib. “All three of my children slept in that very bed,” she said proudly. “But it’s yours now.”
The neighbor to the south said, “I have managed to find all these baby clothes on sale. I think your child will like them.”
Some of the friends brought meat, potatoes, or other kinds of food for the pantry. When all of the gifts were opened, the mother wept. “Thank you for your wonderful support,” she said, brushing back her tears. “You have made a most difficult time much easier.” She paused before she concluded, “Next Sunday my son will be baptized. I have decided to name him Victor after his father.”
After all of the guests had left and the young widow was putting things away, she heard a knock on the door. She opened it to find an old man who lived in the corner house by himself. He was quite short in stature, wore glasses, and had tousled white hair. Everyone called him Doc Burns, though he didn’t seem to be a doctor in any normal sense. Few people had ever talked to the reclusive old man, though he often waved at the widow as she walked past his home.
“I have come to give you my gift for your young son,” he said softly. Mine is a different kind of gift than the others you have received. I have come to offer you one wish for young Victor. It may be anything that you want for him, but you must make the wish before the child is baptized on Sunday.” He paused a moment and then continued, “Please believe that I have the power to give you whatever you desire for your beautiful son.” Having concluded, the little man bowed and walked back to his house on the corner.
The young mother was baffled by the words of her strange little friend. Did he really have the power to grant a wish? What should she ask for? All week long she could not make up her mind. Finally, as they walked forward to the baptismal font, she whispered in the infants ear, “I wish that everyone in the world will love my Victor.” It was the greatest wish she could hope for her son.
And lo and behold, the wish came true. Victor grew up to be a handsome lad with jet black hair and gleaming white teeth. As a toddler, people could not resist hugging and touching him. Even when he was naughty, no one could believe that he had done anything wrong.
As he grew older, Victor became known and loved throughout the village. He was always given food and toys by other children. If his mother scolded or punished him, the adults would insist that she was being too harsh to such a wonderful child. Victor responded to all this attention by treating people with scorn and contempt. That didn’t seem to matter, for they still seemed to adore him.
As the years passed, even when Victor had trouble at home, he maintained a deep respect for Doc Burns; there was something almost mystical about him. He often visited the old man and listened to his advice carefully. Doc was the only person who could reprimand Victor without the boy becoming angry or sullen.
When Victor graduated from high school, he was given a scholarship to a college in the east. At Christmas, when he returned home for the first time, he drove up in a beautiful, black Cadillac. His suitcases were filled with fine clothes, and he always had plenty of spending money. He seldom saw his mother during the vacation. He spent his nights out drinking at parties and taverns.
After college, Victor never worked but continued to live a life of ease. “I collect horses, dogs, and women,” he often bragged. There was no pleasure he did not indulge in, and there was no vice he did not experience. None of his relationships were permanent. Even though his many girlfriends smothered him with attention and friends raved about him, his heart grew empty and his soul became sick. He despised the people who catered to him. He was disgusted with everything and everyone.
One night, alone in his apartment, Victor decided to end his life. He withdrew to his bedroom where he mixed a powerful poison in a glass of wine and lifted it to his lips. Just as he was about to drink it, Doc Burns rushed through the door and took the glass out of his hands, “Good evening. Victor. It has been a long time since we have had a chance to talk,” the old man said softly.
Victor asked to be left alone, but Doc Burns ignored his pleas. “You seem to be dissatisfied with your life of frivolity,” the old man said. “I am sorry it has been such a meaningless existence for you. I suppose I am the one responsible for your misery. I fulfilled your mothers wish on the day of your Baptism, even though it was a foolish one. Suppose I now offer you a new wish? Make it anything you want, and I will fulfill it. But be careful, Victor,” the old man concluded. “Wishes have a way of coming true.”
“I don’t think you can give me anything that I haven’t already had.” Victor said sadly.
“Think again, my son,” Doc Burns said earnestly, peering into the young man’s eyes. “Think of something that has given you true happiness in your short life. Make another wish for my sake, and for the sake of your dear mother.”
Victor closed his eyes and thought for several minutes. Finally he spoke through his tears, “Take away the old wish and give me a new one. Rather than being loved, I ask for the ability to love everyone in the world.”
“That is good,” Doc Burns said, embracing the sobbing young man. “Now things will go better for you.”
Things did go better for Victor, but not immediately. He began to notice that people did not admire him or faun over him as before. Without his great charm, he began to be abandoned by his friends. Several people retaliated for the past wrongs he had inflicted on them. Once, he was thrown into jail for three months, and no one even came to visit him. When he was released, he was sick, lonely, and penniless.
He returned home to nurse his ailing mother. For the first time in his life he was able to return her great love. After his mother’s recovery, Victor took a job as a janitor in an elementary school. He not only cleaned the floors and rest rooms, but he cared for the children as well—particularly the more disadvantaged ones. To all the children he became Mr. Victor, their father, friend and counselor.
In the course of the following year, he met a beautiful young widow who had two small children. They married, and he gave all three of them the love that they so desperately needed. Poor in money, Victor now felt that he was the richest man in all the world, for he had discovered that it is in loving, not being loved, that life offers its greatest fulfillment
Note: This parable, "The Story of Victor," is by William R. White from his book: Stories For Telling (Augsburg Publishing, Minneapolis, © 1986) pp. 37-41. His inspiration came from "Augustus," a story by Herman Hesse.
