The humblest job ever.

Dad told me that when I first started school, my class was in front of an open courtyard. There was a row of trees in the courtyard. They were those trees that love to drop their leaves everyday. Just beside that were a playground and a sand pit for us to play during our break time. I loved sand pit time. I still do... he he.

Dad said that a man, about 50ish years old, would clean and sweep the courtyard every morning. He did that for many years already. He was a kind and humble looking man, who smiled a lot while doing his task. Dad had spoken to him many times (dad likes to talk to strangers). He was not in a big hurry but neither was he slow. He happily swept the fallen leaves into small piles before he collects them into bags. Some naughty children would regularly mess up his piles of leaves. He would then sweep them up into piles again without getting angry or anything. He smiled to the children a lot and sometimes even teased them. He would take his smoking breaks at the far end of the playground, away from the children. So, he was a happy, non-grumbling and considerate cleaner… he he

Dad said that, once, he did not turn up for a few days. Dad felt that it was strange, so he went to the school office to ask about it. Well, they said that he passed away peacefully in his sleep. Just like that. Gone.

Dad said that people, who did the great and important jobs well, are great people. But, people, who did the humblest job well, are even greater people. Not many people are able to do the humblest and most unimportant looking task well, everyday. In the case of this man, he happily did it his whole life.

Then, they got in a new cleaner. He wasn’t one tenth as happy or as friendly. When the kids messed up his piles of leaves, he got mad. Dad, can’t remembered if he smoked or not… he he.

Thanks dad, for the story. I will try to do my task cheerfully. Once, when my teacher asked me to stick price tags on the stuff that we were selling for charity, I wasn’t too happy at first, but, when she gave me the biggest hug ever, I knew she really appreciated my work. Even like such simple ones… he he.

I wish there was an awards for “The World’s Humblest Job Well Done”.

by small bright head