Carpenter's Story

One day, an elderly carpenter was about to retire.

When he told the owner of the company that he was finally leaving, the man said, “I hate to let go such a great carpenter. Before you retire, can I ask a favor? Can you make one last house for me?”

The carpenter agreed, but he did so with a heavy heart. So when he was building the house, the passion was no longer there. It was shoddy workmanship. The people around him noticed, and they were sad to see him end such a sterling career in this way.

When the carpenter finished building the house, his Boss came over to inspect it. The man then faced the carpenter, took his hand, and placed the key of the house in his palm. “This house is yours,” the man said. “It’s our parting gift to you for all the years of service you gave the company.”

The carpenter was shocked. And then his heart was filled with painful regret. Oh, if he only knew he was building his own house, he would have done a better job!