No Work is High or Low
No Work is High or Low
Indians respect Mahatma Gandhi as the father of their nation. So too, Americans look upon George Washington as the father of their country. He was a brave soldier with a noble heart. His one great desire was to serve his country and his fellow-men.
During the American War of Independence, George became the head of the country’s army. One day he was going round on horse-back to make sure that everything was in order in the army camp. At one end of the camp, a new building was being raised. An army-captain was giving orders to six soldiers to lift a long and heavy iron beam to the top of the building. The weight of the beam was too much for the six soldiers who were struggling to obey the orders. But the captain seemed to have no consideration at all for his soldiers. Instead of going to their help, he was only shouting aloud from a distance, “Come on, lift, lift, lift.”
George could not bear this sight. He stopped near the captain and asked him, “The beam is heavy. Why don’t you help them a little?” Back came the reply, “Oh! It is the soldiers’ job. Don’t you see I am a Captain?” “I see,” said George “I am sorry, I didn’t know.” Getting down from the horse-back, he joined the soldiers and helped them till the beam reached the top. Then, turning to the captain, he said, “Captain, next time when you have such a job and not enough soldiers, send for me. I am the head of the American army. I shall gladly come.”
The captain was shocked when he heard these words. Before he could say a word in reply, George was on horse-back again, speeding fast to his tent. George had taught a great lesson to the proud captain.
All men are equal, whatever be their job or duty. Everyone, therefore, should be respected and loved. It is not the kind of job that one holds but man’s good or bad qualities that make him high or low.
Questions:
- What was the captain’s mistake?
- Why was the captain shocked when he heard George Washington’s words?
- What would you have done if you were in the captain’s place?
- Mention some good qualities which make a man “high” and also the bad qualities which make him “low.”
Narration: Ms. Pooja Gummuluru
[Sri Sathya Sai Balvikas Alumna]