The Gardener

The Gardener

He was an accomplished gardener, well-liked and respected for his dedication and quality of work. He was a satisfied worker who took great delight and interest in his job. The plants received good sunshine, water, soil and love. His life was moving forward steadily and happily. He was absolutely satisfied and had no complaints or regrets.

But there were others in the community, who constantly complained and grumbled. There was one neighbor who was particularly insistent on persuading the gardener to leave his job and become a plumber. He said that a gardener’s job was nothing but boring daylong continuity of sluggish repetitive motions. The Plumber’s job was short and sweet – and paid much more. You use pliers and hammers to tighten the bolts and fix the leaks. A plumber makes in one hour, the money that a gardener makes in a day.

When this went on for too long, one day the gardener invited his neighbor for a cup of tea, and this is what he said. “Listen friend, there is no work that is inferior. I am content with the work I do. However, I have seen you doing nothing for past several years, except groaning, blaming and whining. Why don’t you become a plumber?”