When Smurfs Go Bad

Here is the situation - you are hiking, with a long journey in front of you, and there is some reason that you are not able to stop (pursued by cannibal hunters, wild bears, smurfs with attitude, etc.).  Somewhere early on your journey you discover that there is a rock in your boot.

 

But remember you can't stop (killer Smurfs, remember?).  The rock begins to annoy you early on.  You try to favor the other foot as much as you can.

 

You just want to stop and take that rock out of your boot but you can't.  You keep going.

 

The constant repetition is taking its' toll.  The rock is starting to cut into your skin.

 

Still, you can't stop - Papa Smurf has an evil gleam in his eye (he's hungry). 

 

Is the rock starting to cut through muscle now?  Still you trudge forward.

 

Through a freak accident involving a freak windstorm, gamma radiation, and a bizarrely located Baskin Robbins, you find you can stop for a moment.

 

You gently take off the boot and remove an insignificant looking pebble.  You bandage your foot, replace the boot, and continue on with your journey.  Your foot is still tender but you aren't really in much (if any) pain.

 

[end of bizarre story]

 

Now class, for the questions:

 

- Now that the rock is gone and you can walk without pain, are you happy?   Or are you just relieved?

 

- The amazing miracle that was the Baskin Robbins Rock Removal (31 Flavors and Podiatry?) has changed the timbre of your journey.  Will the rest of the journey be a happy one now?  (remember Smurfette, sharpening the butcher knife? *shudder*).

 

- Was the removal of the rock the purpose of the journey or just an obstacle that you had to deal with?