Anyone who has
ever been around children knows they can be most hindering
when they're trying to be helpful. Even on a job site
spanning a thirty-acre estate, a little boy can manage
to get in the way. As a five-year-old, I spent many
summer days with my father and grandfather on just such
an expansive property in Andorra, Pennsylvania. I would
watch the men
working, try to pitch in where I thought I could
and, of course, ask way too many questions.
One day, I was
really getting in everyone’s hair. While making
my rounds to the different sections of the site, I came
across Harry Muller. Harry was one of the best carpenters
who worked for my family and eventually would teach
me many of the master carpentry techniques I use today.
But, on this occasion, he just wanted to have some fun
with me. “Jonny,” he said, “can you
go ask Bob Pearl if he has a left-handed monkey wrench?”
I was so excited. One of the men had actually given
me a real assignment!
Now, Bob Pearl
was working clear across the property, but that didn’t
bother me. I was on a mission. I raced over to find
Bob and, slightly out of breath, told him, “Bob,
Harry needs a left-handed monkey wrench.” Bob
looked at me quizzically for a moment before he caught
on. “Oh, you know what, Jon,” he replied,
“I think I gave it to Nate.” Of course,
Nate was working in another corner of the estate, but
determined to find that left-handed monkey wrench, I
ran over to find him. Nate, in turn, sent me over to
see Therman. Therman told me to ask George Karlson.
He said he had given it to Morris who finally told me
to ask my grandfather. “Are you sure he said left-handed?”
my grandfather asked and sent me back to confirm with
Harry Muller. “I’m sorry, Jon,” said
Harry, “I meant a right-handed monkey wrench.”
And the joke carried on.
I spent the entire
day running from Harry to Bob to Nate to Therman to
George to Morris to my grandfather and back to Harry
again. By the time it was all over I had been sent to
find everything from right-handed hammers to left-handed
saws. And I was unsuccessful every time. Looking back
on that day, I realize that at any time any one of these
men could have told me to get out of their way in a
more direct manner. But their prank was their way to
spread out the duty of keeping an eye on me while making
me feel part of the team. Since then, I’ve managed
many of my own job sites and have done so in the most
professional and safe manner. But, I never forget the
importance of having fun.
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