Currently reading: Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes 📚

Chapter XXXIX: In which the captive narrates the events of his life.

In the episode following the reconciliation of the two separated couples–Don Fernando and Dorotea, and Don Cardenio and Luscinda–a mysterious traveler arrives at the inn “who appeared from his attire to be a Christian recently returned from the land of the Moors.” After dinner, the company begs him to reveal his story and he begins by relating how years earlier, his father had promised to bestow on him and his two brothers an immediate share of their inheritance if they would each choose one of three professional paths:

“…it is my wish that one of you follow the the profession of letters, that another go into trade, and that the third serve his king as a soldier.”

I had to chuckle at these options because, whereas the traveler and each of his brothers chose the one path that best suited him, I’ve sequentially done all three in my life: 24 years in military service, at least 10 pursuing academic interests in humane letters, and the last 6 as a business owner with my husband (these all overlapped to an extent, by the way).

Of the three, business has suited me least though I don’t regret it, to be sure. But I’m grateful to have served in the Navy before moving on to higher academic studies. There’s something about real experience, about exposure to high stakes in arduous circumstances, that prepares one to ask the big questions and seek important answers later in life. I’m sure many veterans would agree.