A Beggar’s Bargain – Guest Post

What Inspired A Beggar’s Bargain?

Guest Post by Jan Sikes 

I listen to a Texas music radio station when I am in the car. I was driving to pick up the grandchildren one afternoon when a song caught my attention. I always listen to lyrics and these grabbed me hard. I pulled over and jotted down A Beggar’s Bargain. I knew it was the title to a story.

The group is The Damn Quails (yes, that’s their name) and the song is entitled, “A Fool’s Gold.” You can look it up on YouTube here if you’re interested.

Take a peek at some of the lyrics.

Well, the truest test of a man’s good name
Is acceptance of failure and losing a game
With a smile and a handshake, quiet, ever-building rage
I got knocked around in a real small town
And they poked, and they prodded and marched me around
For a laugh in the snow, try to tear a good man’s soul

For a fool’s gold, a beggar’s bargain
It’s too much time, space to get lost in
It’s one for the road, two if you can let it go
Blood’s thick, but water’s deeper
The wine works fine, but the whiskey’s cheaper
Now turn it around, quick before your sun goes down

It just goes to prove that a story inspiration can come from anywhere and most often, when you least expect it. This isn’t the first song that inspired me to write a story and I always keep a pencil and paper in the car just in case. I don’t want to miss anything!

Let’s talk! What are some of the most unusual inspirations you’ve ever gotten for a story?