Theme: Do unto others what we wish for ourselves

The last house

Manuel was a bricklayer. He worked for a construction company and had built houses all his life.

Now Manuel was getting old. His strength to carry the bricks and stand all day, under the sun, was no longer the same as it was before. The time for his retirement was coming, when he would stop working and could have the rest he deserved.

Mr. José was the manager of the company and one day he called Manuel to his office to talk.

- Manuel, my dear, I want to show you the project of the new house that our company is going to build - he said - I will also show you the land where it will be built and the team that will work with you. This will be the last house you are going to build before your retirement. I want you to know that you have always been a great employee and our company has a lot of respect for you and the collaboration you have always given us.

Manuel, humble as he was, thanked him and said that he was the one who felt happy to have been able to work for so many years in that company and to have helped to build so many beautiful houses.

Manuel was happy to see the project, as it would be a very good house, well planned.

When the construction began, Manuel was very dedicated to the service, as he always did. He woke up early, always arrived at the agreed time, or even earlier, carried the bricks and cement bags willingly, even when he felt tired. He wanted to do his work well till the end.

Some colleagues, who did not have the same attitude as Manuel, often made comments:

- Yeah, Manuel, only you to stay there trying so hard, sweating to do everything right. When this house is ready, you will already have your money guaranteed. If you do it well or badly, it doesn't matter - said one of them.

- I agree with him, Manuel. If I am going to be so close to retirement, I won't even care if the wall is crooked or not. If it is, I won't even care. If the house falls later, let it fall. I'll be retired and really peaceful - said the other, laughing.

- What is that people? - answered Manuel - It's a family that will live here. It is my duty to build right. Whether it's the first or the last one I'm going to help to build it, my obligation is to do the best I can.

And so, Manuel continued his work until the end. Always giving his best, doing everything right. Even teaching the newer workers, who sometimes needed some tips.

The other bricklayers, seeing Manuel's example, also did the best they could. And consequently, the house, after a few months, was ready.

Mr. José, happy with the result, organized a get-together among all the workers to celebrate the end of the work. Manuel's family was also invited, as it will also be a farewell party for him.

On the party’s day, everyone was happy, talked, remembered some funny things and laughed a lot. When the party was at its end, Mr. José thanked everyone for coming and congratulated Manuel on his retirement.

Manuel, grateful, gave all his companions a hug.

It was then that Mr. José took a key chain from his pocket, stretched out his arm and said:

- Here, Manuel, these are the keys to the last house you built. Which, from now on, is yours. It is a gift from our company for you to make the most of your retirement. We wish you to be very happy with it!

It was a general surprise. Everyone clapped their hands, Manuel's family hugged each other and Manuel, moved, thanked him, gave Mr. José a big hug.

Manuel could never imagine that he was working, striving, and taking great care to build his own house. But he knew that we must do and wish for others what we wish for ourselves. What we sow we reap. In Manuel's case, what he built was what he received. A very nice house!

And that's how Manuel, in addition to teaching about building houses, gave his colleagues many good teachings about life as well.

(Inspired by public domain history.)

Translation:
Larissa Martine - larissa_am@hotmail.com

marcelapradacontato@gmail.com