Some men are men.

When Ben turned 17, his daddy said "Son,
I work to make a living, not to have fun."

But Ben liked playing, n’ roving, and such.
"Life’d be better if we didn’t work much".

So his daddy said "Sure, I appreciate that.
But it was hard work ‘t bought you your hat"

"A hat is okay.  But I don’t think I need it.
It keeps my head dry, but it don’t rightly feed it."

"And how d’you suppose you’ll fill up that belly,
without working a sweat up, and coming home smelly?"

"There’s food all over!   There’s fish in the river!
There’s apples on trees, and onions for liver.

There’s milk in the cow, and there’s eggs in the hen.
The berries outside are growing again!"

His daddy looked thoughtful, solemn and proud.
Then he sparked an idea, and he said it aloud.

"Son, here’s a bet, and let’s start today
I’ll bet you get hungry with nothing but play.

It’s hard work that feeds you.  It keeps your back strong.
But don’t take my word for it, run right along."

So a year went by, and they both played their gamble.
The father would toil, while the son would go ramble.

But Ben never ate at the family table.
He grew tall, and grew strong, and his hands grew able.

His father confounded, told his son one day.
"You’ve cheated for certain, you’ve not been at play!

Your clothes are all new, your complexion is flushed.
Your arms have grown thick.  Your hair is all brushed.

Who kept you fed, while you played all this time?
Your games won’t supply you a nickel or dime."

But Ben only smiled, and answered him so:
"I play every day, father.  Didn’t you know?

I play farmer, or fisher, or hunter most days
It fills up my stomach, and sometimes it pays.

I play doctor whenever I’ve gotten a scratch,
Or tailor if ever my socks need a patch.

I play games of ‘buy low’, and play games of ‘sell high’
I play ‘Ben the builder’ at my new house nearby.

I’ve everything I need under the sun
We made a fair bet, and I’d say I’ve won."

Then many years later, when Ben had a son
He said "I work for our living, and boy is it fun."