I must admit this question took me by surprise.  It was not the sort of question I was used to being asked.  I had to think a moment about the words he said, but I regained my composure quickly and replied, "Nothing."

   The man laughed and kicked up his heels, he rubbed his hands together, "Let me rephrase the question.  What is it that you desire?"  Again I mulled over the words he spoke and still I could do nothing more then shake my head, "Nothing."

  The man was irked by this.  He shuffled his feet together, stood as tall as the Cascades, and spurt, "My boy, my boy!  How is it that you desire nothing?  Does not every creature on this fair Earth have wants and needs?  Is it possible that of all the people in the world I could ask this question, I asked the one who already has everything?  Speak up boy!  Tell me now, you must feel that there is something not presently in your possession.  Whether it be money or a vehicle, a place to live or food to eat,  or a love to hold or an education for life!  Trust in me that I can have it for you before the sun sets tonight!"

   And now I set down my book, and stood as proudly as possible, and I declared, "Poor, poor sir!  You feel the need to give because so much has already been given you.  But I tell you on this bright day that I desire nothing.  I do not want.  For want is but a fools game.  I am risen above all that is, yet I stand side by side next to devils and demons.  I am.  Here, right now, I am.  All that surrounds me is life, good and evil side by side holding hands and dancing.  Twirling through the trees and rushing through my hair, screaming past me in the cars and the trains, flying overheard in the clouds and the birds and the sky itself.  These are the things that I have, and that is all I will ever need."

   My game concluded, I picked up my book and stepped onto the waiting bus.  The man waved as I sat and looked back to him, and I gave him a smile that put God in his heart, and the Devil in his tears.