A Warning Tale

Bernard the Bearded had a self-imposed rule
He thought shaving his own beard would make him a fool

But at this time of the month his facial hear was too long
It got to the point that it just felt wrong

Alas! Away from home he was
Passing through a strange town known for having its own laws

He walked along the streets looking for a barber
Square after square from the park to the harbor

Finally, at last, when he walked downtown
He found what seemed to be the only barber around

So he walked through the door whithout even ringing the bell
And exclaimed “I need a shave, but I can’t do it myself!”

“Well, you’re in luck”, hastly answered the barber
“We’ve done it many times – your case shouldn’t be harder”

As Bernard laid down on the barbershop chair
The town’s clock announced midday, from the neaby square

While preparing his razor, the man further explained
“My shop is truly special”, he proudly ascertained

The barber continued over the sound of the bells
“I shave exactly those that do not shave themselves”

“What a strange choice”, thought Bernard, as anyone would find
Until something stranger struck his mind

“Wait a minute”, Bernard interjected, as the barber took the cream from the shelf
“What about you?”, he asked, “do you shave yourself?”

Silence ensued
That particular subject always spoiled the mood

“We do not talk about that”, sternly warned the barber
“Let us not take this subject any further”

But Bearnard the bearded was puzzled still
And continued his thought, having no social skill

“If you do not shave yourself”, hypothesized him without further ado
And conclued: “Then you must surely do”

“But in that case”, thr counterargument he put forth
“We must conclude, that you do certainly not!”

The barber was paralysed
The only thing left was the fear in his eyes

Thunder stroke
Announcing the coming of what Bernard had awoke

“My name if Paradox”, said the barber as he trew the man against the wall
“And you, sir, have doomed us all”

And at that, the world turned into mist
As everything they knew ceased to exist

And that, dear child, is the lesson eerie
Why you should not, whatsoever, play with set theory