The Last Bargain Summary

 

The Last Bargain Summary 

The Last Bargain is the story of a man who is looking for a job. He wants a job in which he can work without losing his independence. The speaker receives proposals from the powerful, the rich and the beautiful, but turns them all down. He finally accepts the offer of a child which is the final deal.

The speaker receives the first offer from a king in the morning. The king has more power than wealth. Thus, the king empowers him in return for his services. But the speaker thinks that his power is not worth it. It may soon fade. Therefore, he refuses to accept the king's offer.

He gets a second offer from a rich man in mid-day. The rich old man offers him a lot of gold for his services. Gold and money did not attract the speaker. He feels that the money will be spent soon and it cannot buy everlasting happiness. Thus he also rejects their proposal.

In the evening there were natural beauty and flowers all around. A beautiful girl with a beautiful smile smiles at him in return for her services. The speaker feels that his happiness was unhappy in disguise. Thus, he did not find it suitable for him either. Therefore, he turned down his offer as well.

Finally, while walking, he reaches the shore. There he finds an innocent child playing on the beach. He plays with her there. The child says that he cannot pay anything in return for the speaker's labor. The speaker accepted his proposal. He feels that he will not lose his freedom while playing with the child. He will still be a free man and will enjoy everlasting joy by playing with an innocent child. It was the final bargain that allowed the speaker to accept it as it was not meant to compromise his freedom.

For real and lasting enjoyment, we do not need strength, money or beauty. Freedom and innocence can make a person's life happy and protected.