An elderly carpenter was ready
to retire. He told his employer, a contractor, of his plans to leave the
homebuilding business and live a more leisurely life with his wife, enjoying
his extended family. He would miss his paycheck, but needed to retire. They
could get by.
The contractor was sorry to see
his good worker go, and asked whether he would build just one more house as a
personal favor. The carpenter said yes, but in time, it was easy to see that
his heart was not in his work. He was cutting corners wherever possible, and
even using inferior materials for convenience' sake. It was an unfortunate way
to end his career.
When the carpenter finished his
work and the builder came to inspect the house, the contractor handed the front
door key to the carpenter. “This is your house," he said,
“My gift to you." What a shock! What a shame! That was when the carpenter
lifted his hammer high over his head and, punctuating every word with a blow
upon his employer's skull, cried, “You COULD-a F*CK-in' TOLD me be-FORE I
START-ed!"
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