An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer, a building contractor, of his plans to leave the house-building business and live a more leisurely life with his wife enjoying his extended family. He would miss the paycheck, but he needed to retire. They could get by.
His employer was sorry to see his good worker go and asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favor. The carpenter says yes, but it was easy to see that his heart was no longer in his work. He has lost his enthusiasm, had sorted to shoddy workmanship, and used inferior materials. It was an unfortunate way to end his career. When the carpenter finished his work and his boss came to inspect the new house, the contracted handed the front-door key to the carpenter. “This is your house,” he said, “My gift to you.”
Think of yourself as the carpenter. Each day you hammer a nail or erect a wall. Build wisely. It is the only life you will ever build. Even if you live it for only one day more, that day deserves to be lived with dignity.
Previously published at The Himalayan Times on 29 July 2013
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