What choice would you make? Caution *Spoilers*

[frisbee]

I didn't know about this short story and just read it over the weekend. Classing SK to me. At the heart of the story is an interesting moral choice. If it was either you or your parents turn to die, and the choice was yours, which would you choose? The choice is even more difficult because we know our parents would more than likely choose themselves. So, what would be your choice?

[Bryan James]

My parents are already dead to themselves and often a burden to me.

I could make the obvious choice and I'd rarely have a bad dream about it.

Read Jack London's short "The Law of Life."

It infuriated me when I was ten.

I understand it now.

[Sigmund]

Gee, no pressure, huh? I hope I would never be in that position but after thinking it over carefully I would have to say I would choose to live. It's not something I would want to do but they have both told me that they are very happy with the life they have lived and they will die happy if they know we (my sibs and grandkids) are happy and healthy. More importantly, I have no choice but to be here ( God willing) 'cause I have a teenager counting on me. At the age of 7 he had to bury his father I don't want to leave him and have to bury me also. Hopefully he'll be grown, married and with a little family of his own when he has to bury me.
I asked my son (he LOVED Riding the Bullet) and he said, "I guess I would choose to live and let you go to God and Poppa. I'm pretty sure if I chose to die you would probably not be able to live a good life." He is completely correct.

[Gavvo1976]

I'd have to choose my dad cos I can't stand him!

[GNTLGNT]

I would choose to die. My parents dedicated their lives to me and deserve a chance to reach the clearing at the end of the path at their own natural rate.

[frisbee]

Hopefully, your dad isn't also on this board

[frisbee]

I agree with you and your son, Sig. As a parent, I would choose myself over my kids in a heartbeat. So, I know how my parents would feel if I chose myself over them. I think that would be a lose/lose. But then I think - they have given so much to me. And that's the beauty of some of SK's work. He provides the reader with some moral choice that make him/her uncomfortable......

[Gavvo1976]

Hopefully, your dad isn't also on this board

I ain't a clue where he is or what he's doin...but I know he sure wouldn't be on here! It's far too sociable for him!