An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer of his plans to leave the house
building business and live a more leisurely life with his family. He would miss the pay
cheque, but he needed to retire. The employer was sorry to see his good worker go and asked
if he could build just one more house as a personal favour. The carpenter said yes, but in
time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work. He resorted to shoddy
workmanship and used inferior material. It was an unfortunate way to end his career.
When the carpenter finished his work, his employer handed over the key of the house to the
carpenter – “ This is your house, my gift to you”.
What a shock! What a shame! If he had only known he was building his own house, he
would have done it all so differently! Now he had to live in a poorly built house. So it is
with us. We build our lives, a day at a time, often putting less than our best into the building.
Then, with a shock, we realise we have to live in the house we have built. If we could do it
over, we would do it much differently. But, you cannot go back. You are the carpenter, and
every day you hammer a nail, place a board, or erect a wall. Someone once said, your
attitude, and the choices you make today, help build the ‘house’ you will live in tomorrow.
Therefore, build wisely!
1. Give a suitable title to the story.
2. What is the message conveyed in the above story?
Answers
Story Writing
Explanation:
Once upon a time, there was a carpenter. The carpenter was very poor and old. He decided to retire from his work. The employer wanted the carpenter to built one more house. So he asked the carpenter to build one last house.
The carpenter did very poor job. Because he wanted to retire as soon as possible. He thought he no longer needs to impress the employer or the customer as it was going to be his last work.
One he completed the work. The employer came to see the work. And he gave the keys of house to carpenter told the carpenter that it's a gift for the carpenter. He was shocked and immediately felt regret on what he has done. He regrets for not doing a good job.
Moral of the story - Never do the poor work, you don't know what the future holds for you.
Title- The unfortunate carpenter.
Question and Answers:
What did the carpenter tell his employer?
- The carpenter told the employer that he wants to retire from his work.
What favour did his employer ask from the carpenter?
- The employer wanted the carpenter to built one more house. So he asked the carpenter a favour to build one last house.
What surprise did the employer have for the carpenter?
- The employer wanted to gift a house to carpenter, which was going to be his last work.
Why was the surprise a shame for the carpenter?
- The carpenter was shocked when the employer handed him the keys of the house. The carpenter did the poor work in building the house that he regrets later.