Library: the gambler

Lucky the hobbit was not a nice creature. He had grown up in the shire and had always seemed a bit different than the other hobbits. Some whispered it was a rough upbringing, his father an overbearing person with very little of the hobbit friendliness. Others whispered that Lucky might not even be a true hobbit, that his mother had a tryst with a dwarf. Lucky knew all the rumors and it didnt improve his mood any. Lucky was not well accepted by the boys or the elders. Where the other young hobbits wanted to be carefree and adventurous, Lucky was a glum and and calculating. The only thing that made Lucky truly happy was games of chance. Lucky became very good at playing them, and eventually started talking the other youngsters into playing the games he had read of in books. This did not sit well with the elders, they had repeatedly warned Lucky. Lucky didnt heed the warnings and eventually caused a big stir when he won the Mayors sons allowance in a game of cards. Well the Mayor and the elders were none to happy especially after the repeated warnings to Lucky, which he never heeded. Lucky seemed to have no inclination to change his ways either. This saddened everyone. The elders wanted to teach him a lesson and also hopefully bring Lucky to his senses. The Mayor in his infinite wisdom and patience hatched a plan. They spoke with a mighty wizard about the plan and he agreed to help. And so Lucky was called in for his punishment in front of the Mayor and elders. Lucky was belligerent and rebellious when called in front of his judges. He seemed to show no remorse and much arrogance to the Mayor and elders. The mayor spoke of his many transgressions and asked Lucky if he could refute them. Lucky did not and in fact seemd to not care. Lucky did seem embarassed and a bit angry to be called out for his acts, not because he had done them but because he was being confronted. So, the mayor seeing no repentance from Lucky told him of his punishment. Lucky was to be cursed to forever win at everything he ever gambled at. He could never lose again. No matter what game of chance or how bad the odds he would always win. Lucky smiled at this curse, thinking these people were mad. Lucky at once packed his bags and left for the big city. The mayor didnt show it but was pleased by this. Well it came to pass that Lucky got to the city and started to gamble, his favorite activity. Lucky began to win at everything, no matter what. Every game of chance and every bet no matter how small or foolish he won. Some accused him of cheating, but no harm came to him as the wizard who cast the curse also cast a protection around Lucky anticipating this. After awhile Lucky became an outcast. No one would gamble with him at all because of his reputation. Lucky soon realized that he would have to move on to another city. Lucky also was beginning to wonder if winning constantly was fun as it sounded. Lucky wandered from city to city always ending up in the same predicament. He would enter as a stranger and quickly get a reputation as a cheater or at least as someone to never gamble with. This saddedned Lucky and he began to long for his shire and to go back home. Lucky truly began to realize the ramifications of his punishment. Lucky then got the courage to send word to his village and Mayor that he would like to come home and make amends for his past. The mayor was pleased with this and sent word back to Lucky that yes he could come back. Lucky straggled in to the shire a few weeks later. Although one would have thought he would have been very wealthy from winning at gambling, this was not the case. Lucky would only be able to aqcuire a bit winnings it seemed before everyone stopped gambling with him. So Lucky barely had the clothes on his back a bit of food in his pack. Lucky came before the Mayor and the elders and truly was contrite. He was remorseful and had certainly seen the error in his ways. The mayor and elders conferred and agreed that the punishment had worked. They called in the wizard to remove the curse.

Login to BatWeb

Forgot your password?