Pedro Calderon de la Barca

Many moons ago (in truth, it feels like another lifetime), when I was a college student for the first time, I studied Spanish literature. I was always drawn to Pedro Calderon de la Barca, a gentleman of the 1600's. A favorite that has been running through my mind (and I had to search for it because I didn't trust the accuracy of my memory after 27 years!).

CUENTAN DE UN SABIO, QUE UN DÍA...

Cuentan de un sabio, que un día
tan pobre y mísero estaba,
que sólo se sustentaba
de unas yerbas que cogía.
«Habrá otro», entre sí decía,
«más pobre y triste que yo?»
Y cuando el rostro volvió,
halló la respuesta, viendo
que iba otro sabio cogiendo
las hojas que él arrojó.

My translating skills are very (very) rusty, but ... in general ...

They tell of an old wiseman who one day
was so poor and miserable
that the only thing sustaining him
were some herbs/leaves he gathered.
While he was gathering, he said to himself,
Could there be anyone else sadder or poorer than me?
And when he turned about
there was the answer, seeing
another old wiseman gathering
the herbs/leaves he had thrown aside.

A nice sentiment I believe, as we enjoy this Thanksgiving month.