Jackson Jambalaya

"Did I ever tell you about the young Zode who came to two signs at the fork in the road?"  As the story goes, the Zode dithered and dithered until he withered.  Using the Dr. Seuss classic, the late Dr. Frank Pollard discussed how dithering and dithering will cause one to wither spiritually in the 1996 sermon posted below.  Indecision itself becomes decision.  Playing it safe is rarely safe.  It's one of Dr. Pollard's better sermons, and yes, he recited the entire story as Dr. Suess story time met The Baptist Hour.  Enjoy.   

by Dr. Seuss

Did I ever tell you about the young Zode,

Who came to two signs at the fork in the road?

One said to Place One, and the other, Place Two.

So the Zode had to make up his mind what to do.

Well…the Zode scratched his head, and his chin and his pants.

And he said to himself, “I’ll be taking a chance

If I go to Place One. Now, that place may be hot!

And so, how do I know if I’ll like it or not?

On the other hand though, I’ll be sort of a fool

If I go to Place Two and find it too cool.

In that case I may catch a chill and turn blue!

So, maybe Place One is the best, not Place Two,

But then again, what if Place One is too high?

I may catch a terrible earache and die!

So Place Two may be best! On the other hand though…

What might happen to me if Place Two is too low?

I might get some very strange pain in my toe!

So Place One may be best,” and he started to go.

Then he stopped, and he said, “On the other hand though….

On the other hand…other hand…other hand though…”

And for 36 hours and a half that poor Zode

Made starts and made stops at the fork in the road.

Saying, “Don’t take a chance. No! You may not be right.”

Then he got an idea that was wonderfully bright!

“Play safe!” cried the Zode. “I’ll play safe. I’m no dunce!

I’ll simply start out for both places at once!”

And that’s how the Zode who would not take a chance

Got no place at all with a split in his pants.