The man who talked too much

"The Man Who Talked Too Much" by Roy Norton is a humorous short story that follows the misadventures of two miners, David and Goliath, as they try to evade a chatty stranger named "Lucky" Cochran during their travels by train and boat. Cochran relentlessly boasts about his wealth and life experiences, irritating David and Goliath, who desperately seek peace and quiet. Ironically, their attempts to avoid him lead them to believe he's being swindled by fellow passengers, prompting them to feel sympathy for him. The story cleverly subverts expectations when Cochran is revealed to be a con artist himself, leaving David and Goliath surprised and forcing them to confront their own misjudgment and naivety. The narrative explores themes of appearance versus reality, the pitfalls of assumptions, and the power dynamics of communication, all wrapped in a lighthearted and ironic tone.