Respect for labor and responsibility!

A young man once applied for a senior position at a large printing company. He passed the initial interviews with ease, and only the final meeting with the CEO remained. His résumé was flawless. The director studied it carefully and asked, “Did you receive a scholarship while you were in school?” “No,” the young man answered. “Then who paid for your education?” “My father did. He covered everything.” “And what does your father do for a living?” “He’s a blacksmith.” The director asked him to hold out his hands. They were clean, smooth, untouched by hard labor. “Have you ever helped your father with his work?” the director asked. “Never,” the young man replied. “My parents insisted that I focus on school and books.” The director paused, then said, “I have one request. When you get home tonight, wash your father’s hands. Then come back tomorrow.” The young man left the office feeling hopeful. That evening, he approached his father and asked if he could wash his hands. His father was surprised, but agreed. As the young man held his father’s hands, he noticed how rough and cracked they were, marked by scars and calluses from years of hard work. Some spots were so tender that his father flinched at the touch. It was a revelation. Only then did the young man truly understand the price his father had paid for his education and future. After washing his hands, he stayed to help clean the workshop. That night, they talked for a long time, heart to heart. The next morning, the young man returned to the director. His eyes were filled with tears. “Tell me,” the director said, “what did you do at home, and what did you learn?” “I washed my father’s hands and helped clean his shop,” the young man replied. “Now I understand that everything I am today comes from his hard work. I felt how difficult it is to earn a living, and I learned to respect the work of others.” The director nodded. “That’s exactly what I look for in people. I want employees who respect effort and see more in life than just money. The job is yours.” 🌱 The lesson: If a child is given everything, they may grow up entitled and blind to the effort behind it. Even if you can afford help, let your child work alongside you. It teaches respect for labor, resilience, and responsibility.