Baffoe: That Time John Scott Completed The Fairy Tale
By Tim Baffoe--
(CBS) Once upon a time, there was a giant. He wasn't easy on the eyes like most of his kind, lumping around on his tree trunk legs, smooth as peanut brittle. But he had a big heart and despite various circumstances moving him from place to place over the years, he was happy being himself and being allowed to be himself wherever he plied his lackluster-but-good-natured oafishness.
The giant kept mostly out of everyone's way, went about his business and contributed to his little society as requested without much fanfare. He was a bit lonely, as there really weren't any giants like him around anymore, and he slowly came to realize his days of usefulness were numbered. But he never complained, and he continued to do work for anyone that would have him, even if that work was being paid to not work.
After years of unglamorous, steady existence among them, the giant's society spontaneously and organically decided to recognize and appreciate him. Maybe a good portion of the public support celebrating him came from something self-congratulatory or humorously absurd, but the giant was honored regardless, though initially uncomfortable and reluctant with the spotlight as well. Again, just being allowed to be was enough for him.
But then the evil commissioner was made aware of the people taking some modicum of control over bureaucratic process. This couldn't stand. True, the celebration of the giant was harmless and nice and fantastic PR for the icy commissioner and his easily criticized fiefdom, but power's neither gained nor held based on common sense.
So the commissioner's people spread the word that the unsanctioned party for the giant wouldn't do. This was a giant, after all, an undesirable. Why not focus public energy on celebrating the really popular people who make much larger advertisable contributions to the land despite maybe not being very good people when everyone isn't looking?
To their credit, the people united and ignored the powers-that-be who think that Arizona and Carolina are solid lands to farm. And the giant had come around to appreciate the appreciation and wanted what the people were offering. The celebration would go on, and worse for the commissioner, there were already laws in place allowing it to happen.
So the government tried to sabotage the laws. It transferred the giant to a post that compromised his citizenship, because control is more important than public happiness. The giant dutifully did what was ordered of him. Meanwhile, the people protested and threatened a revolt, eventually scaring the impish, complexed commissioner so much that he figured squashing the feel-good celebration was a net negative.
The giant became a folk hero for the people. Then the party would go on as planned. And it was a great time.
That would be a happy ending in and of itself, but the story doesn't end there. It only grows more unbelievable.
The giant was more beloved now than he'd ever been, if only because the evil ogres in offices made it so. Scores of people who had never been aware of the giant came to meet him and congratulate him, and they saw what a good guy and unlikely cause célèbre he was.
When the festivities were in full force, it was assumed the humble giant would go through the motions and maybe get a bit embarrassed with the attention. But perhaps most unlikely of all in this story is that he rose to the occasion beyond his gargantuan size and scrawny skills and amazed everyone.
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The giant even managed to keep a sense of humor about it all …
... while reserving his sharpest barbs for those who still felt he didn't belong.
All the while, the giant was the admirable novelty teddy bear he'd always been ...
... and showed everyone why little guys like himself deserve more recognition for being big in so many other ways.
When all was said and done, the people hoisted the giant onto their shoulders in victory.
Maybe sweetest of all was the tiny commissioner having to eat crow in the middle of the whole thing and shake hands with the giant he'd tried so hard to keep away.
[tweet https://twitter.com/MarkLazerus/status/694204648501039104]
The giant's is an improbable tale and contains lesson for us all about who belongs and who doesn't, who has the power and who should have it, and being comfortable being you.
"You can't write this stuff," the giant said as he prepared to go back to a life of relative obscurity.
He's probably right. Sports aren't a fairy tale.
Tim Baffoe is a columnist for CBSChicago.com. Follow Tim on Twitter @TimBaffoe. The views expressed on this page are those of the author, not CBS Local Chicago or our affiliated television and radio stations.
