The Treadmill (A Fairy Tale)

Once upon a time there was a treadmill.  It was a very nice one.  If used properly, it would help people maintain their weight and keep them in good physical condition.

During this time, a woman (me!) was told by her doctor that she had MS.  The doctor advised that he would start her on some medication and that it would be good if she could try to stay as physically active as possible.

The woman (again, me) talked this over with her husband and they decided on getting her a treadmill (star of the story!).  The woman was unable to walk in her neighborhood because of uneven sidewalks and such, so this seemed like the best choice for her to try and get some exercise.

The couple went to the store and saw a nice treadmill, bought it and brought it home.  It looked nice in the room where the woman’s computer was set up and the couple was very happy.

At first, the woman was able to walk on the treadmill a little and was very happy with it.  But, as time went on, she became unable to steady herself enough while walking to risk walking on the treadmill and falling onto the floor.  The woman was very sad.  She really liked her treadmill.

The woman’s mean old mother (self-explanatory!) was 83.  Two or three times a week, she would get on the treadmill and walk a couple of minutes.  She would tell the woman (still me!) about doctor whoever saying that if one would get a little exercise every day, eat such and such, and get plenty of rest, they would have a long life.  The woman had to listen to this, but was skeptical about the advice.  (Luke 12:22 – Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear.”  Matthew 6:27 – “And which of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?”)

The woman thought about selling or giving the treadmill away, but her husband advised her not to.  He said that maybe one day she would be better and be able to use it.  It would be a shame to get rid of it and then need it.  The woman thought it over and agreed.

The treadmill was very happy with the way the story was going.  It did not have to do much work and got to sit in front of the woman’s desk and have company.

So the woman and the treadmill lived happily ever after………..or at least as much as was possible for the moment! J