Every one laughed when he declared it. How boyishly romantic - how ridiculous. His one true love was to marry another and he had made a vow of celibacy. ``If not her then no other,'' he said.
And for two weeks - two months - people thought it quite charming. But when he claimed celibacy at three months then three years, they laughed out loud when his name was mentioned, and made unkind jokes.
The object of his affections thought him extremely silly and was quite angry with him.
After five years of self inflicted celibacy it occurred to him that he would make a good priest. He had not experienced the slightest urge to molest a child of either sex. The problem was he did not believe in god.
He became a target for many women. A competition evolved - its object to rob him of his celibacy and no holds were barred and the conflict was fierce indeed. But he was a man of principal. While they may have moved him they could not win him.
He found them naked in his bed, his bath tub. They made forays under the table as he sat at dinner with friends, but all to no avail.
``Its quite impossible,'' he said.
When he had been celibate for ten years his one true love called him.
``We must talk,'' she said.
She came to his house and told him she was getting a divorce.
``I'll be free,'' she said, ``we could be lovers then. Perhaps we could marry...''
``Its quite impossible,'' he said.