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Share A Story NowAn Old Dutchman Teaches Me Work Ethic
Being from a well-to-do family didn't excuse me from work in the summer. My Dad, raised during the Great Depression, realized the benefits and discipline of hard work. He didn't want me to grow up soft.
When I was sixteen, he sent me to work with Martin Brock, a sixty-something farmer. It was early June in central Minnesota. Martin contracted himself out to my Dad to clear some land for him, for a golf course Dad was constructing.
It was a sweltering day when I reported to work in blue jeans, worker boots and a t-shirt. Martin, dressed in dark green, bib overalls, seemed nonchalant about the sweat dripping from his forehead. He removed a greasy looking green baseball cap and wiped his forehead and flipped it back on his bald head.
He stood all of 5'4" in height and probably weighed 140 lbs. wringing wet. He emitted a knarly look. In a broken Dutch accent he said: "Ve vork hard, ve take 15 minute breaks twice a day, one at ten, one at three. Ve eat lunch in thirty minutes. Din ve vork hard some more. Grab that ax and follow me."
He did a whirlygig and before I could reach the ax, near a tree stump, Martin was in the woods. I followed the thump, thumping sounds of chopping. When I reached him, he said: "Like theese." He grabbed a young sumac tree with his strong left hand and with one powerful blow, chopped it near the root with his right. He tossed the tree aside.
Then he moved to another and repeated the routine. And again and again. I probably stood there a half a minute, watching him in awe. He moved quickly, yet gracefully. He was wiry but muscular.
Suddenly he stopped and turned to gaze at me. "Vy you not vorking? VORK!" Immediately he re-turned to his chronic motion of chopping.
Two hours later, completely exhausted, I slumped to the ground. I remember thinking: "thank God it's ten a.m." Martin, sat on a log near me, sipping black, hot coffee from the metal cap to his Thermos.
He stared at me, then winked. "I thought you were strong football player. You not in good shape at all. I'm old man, vy you not keep up vid me?" I didn't reply, just shook my head, wondering if I could make it until noon.
Well, I made it till noon and the end of the day. Martin got me in shape and when I returned to school that fall, I was tough as nails. NO! Make that: as tough as Martin. That was the most difficult and yet the greatest summer of my life.
I learned from Martin, not only the value of hard work in teaching responsibility, accountability and commitment, I also learned the good feeling of accomplishment and healthy self-esteem, that hard work delivers.
I remember a line in the movie Platoon. One of the soldiers says: "after this, it's all gravy." That's how I felt after spending 90 sweltering days under the example of Martin Brock. I'm now 59 years old. I've never been exposed to work as hard as that summer back in 1961. Since that day, everything was "gravy."
I think of Martin often, if he were alive today, he'd be over 101. I wouldn't put it past him to be alive and chopping wood. What a man! And what an example. I'm grateful to two peple for that summer job: Martin for his tireless example of leadership and my Dad for having the wisdom to teach me one of my greatest life lessons.
Story was submitted anonymously
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Your Comments
Having many young people work for me this story really hits home.It is amazing how many young people have little or no work ethics. Wish all young men could work the summer like this before they come to work for me.
Posted almost 3 years ago by Eric T. from Carlsbad, CA
My name is Edwin and I hope that I get sent to do things like this over summer because after that everything is like gravy. Thanks for the story!
Posted almost 3 years ago by Edwin M. from MIAMI , FLORIDA
I plan to share this with all my subscribers.
Especially The Parents of Children :)
Posted almost 3 years ago by Tim S. from Marcellus, NY
Awesome story. Many fathers no longer give their kids the tutelage to instill self confidence, hard work and discipline. Who else will?
Posted about 3 years ago by from
Very nice story, now I have a reason to go ahead without looking to the past. After hard working, "everything is gravy." I agree with the Dutch man...
Posted about 3 years ago by Laaze C. from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Thank you
Posted almost 4 years ago by Rajesh M from Kerala, India
Peace, Brothers!
Posted almost 4 years ago by Payul from Russia
Don't Worry, Be Happy! =)
Posted almost 4 years ago by Tom from Russia
Nice one!
Posted about 4 years ago by Thirumalai from India
Perhaps it is the values that we work for rather than the work or money or other things that truly teach us work ethic.
Posted about 4 years ago by Miguel M. from Tucson, Arizona USA
This story is so real in today's world. There are no short ways to personal success.It takes work, hard work, but the fruits taste sweet at the end. There are no instant prizes in life, except for the ones that does not mean much or last long enough .....
Posted about 4 years ago by Ashlene P. from Hanover Park, Cape Town, South Africa
The story is too good. Especially these days when youngsters are losing their trust in hard-work. I believe hard-work never goes in vain.
Posted over 4 years ago by Sadhiya R. from Bangalore, India
Excellent and very useful in the contemporary times where each one of us try the shortcuts and land in a soup.
Posted over 4 years ago by Preethi from Thiruvalla, India
I think this is good book for everyone to read. It could inspire someone to be stronger and work hard.
Posted over 4 years ago by Michael F. from Washington DC, USA
It's really educative story.
Posted over 4 years ago by Malimo from Marsabit, Kenya
good lesson for youngesters like me. always be working...
Posted over 4 years ago by S Rahi from Bangalore, India
very inspirational..truly heart touching....
Posted over 4 years ago by jyotsna from Mumbai, India
If only this valuable lesson were still taught to our youth. They are certainly gifted and able to affect the world as they mature, but with this work ethic, they would be unstoppable!
Posted over 4 years ago by Dawn from WI
Nice lesson to be given in a very beautiful way. Close to life example.
Posted over 4 years ago by shaquille from uk
wonderful story...really encouraging.
Posted over 4 years ago by Gayathri K from Kerala, India
That story has really shown me the importance of hard work!!
Posted over 4 years ago by Gill from Kenya
When a person is mentally down he/she can be encouraged by going through this web site. Everything here will encourage people.
Posted over 4 years ago by Milani C from Sri Lanka
I think it's a very touching story. I think most young men should have to teach these type of lessons to their sons and this world would be a much safer place to live in.
Posted over 4 years ago by Ayanda S from Johannesburg, South Africa
Fantastic story. Love it!
Posted over 4 years ago by Simone R from Wales
if we have the will, we will definitely get the way, so just do it! make your will stronger by going through this site...this site is absolutely fantastic!
Posted over 4 years ago by shivangi madan from new delhi
We should insist that these principles be taught to our youth so that they are able to appreciate all the other things we give them.
Posted almost 5 years ago by Angela from Barbados
Very good story and application. Needed for men and boys today.
Posted almost 5 years ago by Winsome Mason from Kingston, Jamaica
Hello, nice site!
Posted almost 5 years ago by Bush from USA