Too Clever for Words

In a town of fine artisans, the town loafer, Gruffle, wondered how he could gain respect. When he went to a town meeting he pointed out that one skill the town lacked was the use of eloquent language. Everyone cheered Gruffle and soon began speaking with nearly unintelligible eloquence eclipsing Gruffle and once again leaving him in the dust. That is until Gruffle suggested a speaking contest where he made it to the final round to face off with a little girl who could think of nothing to say. Gruffle should be a shoe-in, right?