Friday, July 25, 2008

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

13 comments:

eNNy said...

such a good story for sharing with us, esp ur dad told you so many stories. like a counselor. ^^

eastcoastlife said...

Your Dad is a wise man. So he's the big bright head. :)

You have a skinny starved male model for me? Don't talk money lah. haha...

rachelsee said...

I can't express it better!
"people, who did the great and important jobs well, are great people. But, people, who did the humblest job well, are even greater people"

Rei said...

Great post! There are a bunch of great people which we call the 'elites'. But these great people need 'small' people to get jobs done.

day-dreamer said...

It's hard to find people like this nowadays.

Irene said...

without all these "greater" ppl, who's goin to pick up our rubbish. so appreciate! thanks for this write up!

OceanCruiserWannabe said...

That's a nice story - and it makes you think too.

irish daisies said...

that was a wonderful story! I love smiling because it makes others smile too :)
ps we cant forget the coconut bra too :)

Anonymous said...

Is your dad a redditor? Can i have his username? =D
I like the things he says to you.

Sandhya said...

lovely post ,remind me of the gardener in my nursery school,that was about 18 yrs back!

Anonymous said...

No, no, you don't have to ding dong me, I can't bother you more ^^ I'll just visit your blog!

Anyway,
It seems that you have a really close relationship with your dad. And it's really heartwarming to read your wonderful story in every posts...

Ju Ann said...

Ya lor, so heartwarming...

Kok said...

sometimes, those little job are the greatest job. :)

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