A rich man who
owned a big farm
had to travel.
But to do so he
needed to leave
someone he
trusted taking
care of his
property. So he
thought: which
of my employees
has the skills
to take care of
my farm well?
Doubtful, he
analysed which
ones would be
best for the job
and chose two
that he thought
were up to the
task. He called
them, explained
to them that he
needed to travel
and asked them a
question:
- Thomas and
Jaime. Do you
think you have
what it takes to
take good care
of the farm?
Both responded
affirmatively.
Then, the boss
asked another
question:
- If by chance
someone entered
the farm and
stole some
fruit, what
would you do?
The first to
respond was
Thomas, who was
very severe:
 |
- Sir, if
someone wanted
to steal fruit
from the
orchard, I would
collect some
evidence of
their theft.
Then I would
give them a
beating to teach
them that they
should not take
what is not
theirs. I would
drag them to the
gate and would
kick them out
onto the dusty
road.
Jaime, listening
to his
colleague, felt
sorry for his
attitude towards
the unfortunate
person who
entered the farm
to steal fruit,
then answered:
- Sir! I
recognise that
Thomas is right
to consider that
the intruder
should not steal
from the
orchard.
However, as I am
a poor man that
has children, I
know how painful
it is for a
parent to see
their child
asking for food
|
|
and
having
nothing
to give
them so
I would
act
differently. |
- And how would
you act, Jaime?
- asked the
boss, with a
curious desire
to know what he
would do.
|
- Sir, I would
ask why they
trespassed into
the farm.
According to the
answer, I would
tell them that
they should not
enter other
people's
property, but if
it was for lack
of food for
their family, I
would allow them
to get some
fruit. Then I
would ask the
kitchen for some
bread because I
know that there
is always left
overs and make
sure they would
have something
to take home
with them. |
 |
With his heart
more tranquil,
the rich man
asked:
- What would you
do if one of the
employees got
sick during my
absence?
Thomas took a
deep breath as
he felt
irritated and
said:
- Sir, I would
not let any
employee miss
work. They like
to skive and, if
we allow it, we
lose our
authority.
Therefore, I
would be hard on
anyone who
wanted to stay
in bed instead
of working. I
would take a
whip and give
them a good few
lashes to help
them heal
faster. You can
be sure, sir!
- And you,
Jaime, what
would you do?
Jaime kept
crumpling his
old hat in his
hands while
looking at his
shoes. Then,
raising his
head, he took a
deep breath,
looked up at his
boss and said:
- Sir, I would
do differently.
If someone says
they are sick,
we need to check
what is
happening,
because if it is
true and they
are really bad,
requiring them
to work could
cause the loss
of the employee.
Also, if they
are really sick,
they would be
useless in the
field and may
even die!...
The boss heard
the answers of
Jaime and
Thomas, his most
capable
employees,
analysed them
and then said:
- And what if
someone from the
road asked for a
glass of water
to quench their
thirst and to
let them rest
for a while
under the trees
because they had
been walking a
lot? What would
you do?
Full of
determination,
Thomas answered
as if he were
angry:
- Well, I would
give them a kick
in the rear end,
sending them off
the gate.
Because a bum’s
place is not
here on this
farm, sir, where
everyone works!
Then it was
Jaime’s turn to
answer:
- Sir… I've
walked a lot up
and down these
roads before
being received
here on this
farm, where you
had mercy on me
and my family,
and gave me a
job, home and
food, plus a
salary for which
I am very
grateful to you!
So, how could I
expel an
unfortunate
person who is
thirsty and just
wants to get
some rest? If I
were to receive
them, besides
allowing them to
rest, I would
also give them a
plate of food.
Then I would see
if you were in
need of another
employee for the
harvest. We
always need more
workers!...
Satisfied, the
farmer smiled
and then
announced his
decision:
- Jaime and
Thomas! I asked
you these
questions
wanting to know
how you would
act in such
situations. I
need to travel
with my wife and
want to leave
someone that has
my complete
trust in charge
of the farm.
Thomas raised
his head, puffed
out his chest
and gave a smile
of satisfaction
as he looked at
Jamie, who kept
his hat in his
hand and his
head down.
The boss looked
at each of them,
then concluded:
- Both of you
are good
employees.
However, to be
the overseer of
the farm I
choose Jaime,
who showed more
generosity,
concern for
people and
willingness to
help.
Noticing
Thomas’s
reaction, who
became red with
anger, the boss
continued:
 |
- I'll tell you
a story. Long
ago, my family
and I walked
these roads
without a place
to lay our
heads. It was on
this farm, whose
boss welcomed me
with kindness,
that I was given
a job. As he had
no children and
his wife was
already dead,
when he got
sick, he made me
his heir. I
learned a lot
and always acted
according to
what he had
taught me with
his actions. And
so I would like
as my foreman
someone who is
generous and
concerned about
the needs of
others.
Thomas nodded
and left the
room defeated,
while Jaime,
satisfied,
said:
|
- Boss! I thank
you for your
confidence in
me. I was
sincere even
though I did not
think that you
would trust in
me. Thank you
very much, sir!
Rest assured
that I will act
according to my
principles of
brotherhood and
love to our
neighbour!
MEIMEI
(Psychographed
by Celia X. de
Camargo on
18/04/2016.)
