A Slave Of Property
Harriet believed she was wasting her invaluable time on earth to acquire possessions. She toiled in an unfulfilling job so she could to buy possessions to distract her from having to work. This downwards spiral repulsed her. Finally one evening she pushed all of her possessions into a big dumpster and sent it to the landfill. She moved from the big city to the woods, built a hut and lived alone. Water was provided by a nearby stream, she foraged and planted, wore clothes sewn from what was just out her door.
Life was good.
Word got out about the strange woman who lived in the woods with no possessions. Folks began to visit—the curious, twice the police, politicians and ordinary blokes. She told them to have as few possessions as possible and instead concentrate on the world around them and bettering it. No one did—but they liked the message. It was heartwarming. Over the years, she became a tourist attraction.
Inspired by the interest in her lifestyle, Harriet felt it important to write and publish a book on what she had learned. She wrote the book but publishing required money, so she opened a gift shop next to her hut and sold collectors items, plastic collectibles cheaply made in another country.
The best sellers were plastic Harriet dolls, arms stuck out and hands open.