This is a story of a Pencil Maker, an old man who used to make assorted pencils. The octogenarian used to cut the best wood from the nearby forests, shape them, quarry the lead from the mines, carve the wood, heat them at proper temperature, dry them at the best place and make the pencils, the finest available in town. The only aim of this man was to make premium pencils and to satisfy his dreams; he toiled day and night. The gentleman kept himself completely engrossed into the process of preparing the best he could do. Make Pencils.
After making the pencils he would check each and every pencil individually. And took great care that all of them all the pencils resembled the same. Then would himself approach the traders, painters, students and sold off the pencils to the best buyer he could and at the best prices. At times he would even offer the pencils for free to young students who would loving call him "Dada”.
In short, Dada was the Manufacturer as well as the trader of the Pencils.
And that’s the end of it. A simple story of a man who does what he likes the most…
Make Pencils!!!
But what was the essence of this all?
Is it just that we need to do what we like to do or something at which we are the best? Or there is actually something else too that we should draw from this?
Yeah! There is more to it.
The octogenarian toiled hard to prepare the finest pencils and at the end of it all, when a complete batch was ready to be sold, the man used to assemble all the pencils in front of him and then tell them certain things.
Dada said, “My Dear Pencils, now you are ready to face this world. Go into hands of Humans who would use you like a slave make you do things that you might have never expected.”
A pencil then interrupts, “How is it that we can be used as slaves. We are pencils and we must only be used as tool for gaining wisdom.”
“Ummmm!!” exclaimed all the pencils unanimously.
Dada continued, “Dear all, this might seem funny to you but actually this is true. Kids might use you as some sword or something to fight with their friends, some adults might use you are a device to itch theirs backs, some might even use you to prink their noses and ears. But never forget one thing you are a pencil and you will be used for gaining knowledge, you will be used as a tool of wisdom. Never undermine yourself and always remember the glorious rules which I am about to tell you.”
A long silence followed.
"My Dear Pencils”, continued the octogenarian, “there are a few golden rules that you always have to follow. And if you follow them you will be declared the finest, the superior of all pens and pencils. So listen carefully.”
“You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in someone’s hand. Never hesitate because you are meant to be used by someone else. Always remember you will never be able to do anything until and unless someone holds you up and scribble on a surface. This is Rule One.”
“Rule Two is a bit painful but equally important. Listen my dear Pencils you will experience painful sharpening from time to time, but you'll need it to become a better pencil. Without that you might lose you sharpness which might turn you into some ordinary pencils which you are not.”
“Dear Pencils, the third rule is simple never falter while writing, never feel worried with whatever you do as you leave do not leave an indelible mark You can always look back and correct your mistakes.”
“The most important part of you is what is within you. It’ll always be with you no matter what happens to the wood that covers you. So do not worry about the wood, just believe in what’s inside you and carry on. That’s rule four.”
“Dear friends this is the last rule that you must always remember, you are built to leave a mark on every surface. So no matter what the situation is you must continue to write and leave a mark.”
And with this Dada put an end to his paring speech.
All the pencils followed it religiously and went into the box with purpose in its heart.
Be it an architect or an engineer Young kids or amateur painters, pencils are and will always be the most important part of our stationery box.
But still what does this story mean to us mortals?
Just try replacing the pencil in the story with you.
The same rules which were meant for the pencils are applicable to all of us. Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best person you can be.
This story should encourage all of us to know that we are special and we can fulfill the purpose to which we are born to accomplish.
Never allow yourself to get discouraged and think that your life is insignificant and cannot make a change. For the Lord Krsna each one of us is as special as the pencil to Dada. And if we too follow the rules laid down by Dada religiously we can work wonders.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
This story was told to us by Rev Fr. Pathickal at the Human Resource Development Programme (HRDP). All the my batch mates (ISC 2005) must have had fond memories of HRDP but this story of The Pencil Maker deeply inspired me.
With Regards,
Nirav Katrodia
After making the pencils he would check each and every pencil individually. And took great care that all of them all the pencils resembled the same. Then would himself approach the traders, painters, students and sold off the pencils to the best buyer he could and at the best prices. At times he would even offer the pencils for free to young students who would loving call him "Dada”.
In short, Dada was the Manufacturer as well as the trader of the Pencils.
And that’s the end of it. A simple story of a man who does what he likes the most…
Make Pencils!!!
But what was the essence of this all?
Is it just that we need to do what we like to do or something at which we are the best? Or there is actually something else too that we should draw from this?
Yeah! There is more to it.
The octogenarian toiled hard to prepare the finest pencils and at the end of it all, when a complete batch was ready to be sold, the man used to assemble all the pencils in front of him and then tell them certain things.
Dada said, “My Dear Pencils, now you are ready to face this world. Go into hands of Humans who would use you like a slave make you do things that you might have never expected.”
A pencil then interrupts, “How is it that we can be used as slaves. We are pencils and we must only be used as tool for gaining wisdom.”
“Ummmm!!” exclaimed all the pencils unanimously.
Dada continued, “Dear all, this might seem funny to you but actually this is true. Kids might use you as some sword or something to fight with their friends, some adults might use you are a device to itch theirs backs, some might even use you to prink their noses and ears. But never forget one thing you are a pencil and you will be used for gaining knowledge, you will be used as a tool of wisdom. Never undermine yourself and always remember the glorious rules which I am about to tell you.”
A long silence followed.
"My Dear Pencils”, continued the octogenarian, “there are a few golden rules that you always have to follow. And if you follow them you will be declared the finest, the superior of all pens and pencils. So listen carefully.”
“You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in someone’s hand. Never hesitate because you are meant to be used by someone else. Always remember you will never be able to do anything until and unless someone holds you up and scribble on a surface. This is Rule One.”
“Rule Two is a bit painful but equally important. Listen my dear Pencils you will experience painful sharpening from time to time, but you'll need it to become a better pencil. Without that you might lose you sharpness which might turn you into some ordinary pencils which you are not.”
“Dear Pencils, the third rule is simple never falter while writing, never feel worried with whatever you do as you leave do not leave an indelible mark You can always look back and correct your mistakes.”
“The most important part of you is what is within you. It’ll always be with you no matter what happens to the wood that covers you. So do not worry about the wood, just believe in what’s inside you and carry on. That’s rule four.”
“Dear friends this is the last rule that you must always remember, you are built to leave a mark on every surface. So no matter what the situation is you must continue to write and leave a mark.”
And with this Dada put an end to his paring speech.
All the pencils followed it religiously and went into the box with purpose in its heart.
Be it an architect or an engineer Young kids or amateur painters, pencils are and will always be the most important part of our stationery box.
But still what does this story mean to us mortals?
Just try replacing the pencil in the story with you.
The same rules which were meant for the pencils are applicable to all of us. Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best person you can be.
Rule One: Each one of us is made to do many great things, but only if we allow ourselves to be held in Lord Krsna's hand. And allow other human beings to access us for the many gifts we possess. One should always remember, you cannot exploit your talents merely by self-realization but you need people to exploit you and harness your talents. A horse without a jockey can never win a Derby.
Rule Two: We will also experience a painful sharpening from time to time in the form of resentment, hostility, enmity, etc., but we'll need them to become a stronger person. Experiences make a person stronger and valuable experiences strengthens the character.
Rule Three: We can always correct the mistakes which we might make, so the fear of mistakes should not make us indecisive of our actions.
Rule Four: The most important part of mortals will always be what's on the inside. Always remember it’s the Attitude that decides our Altitude. Our character is the one which is more valuable than any material possessions. Never do what goes against your character and your ego and your self-esteem.
And Rule Five: On every surface we walk through, we must leave our mark. No matter what the situation, we must continue to do our duties. Shakespeare had rightly said, "All the world's a stage, And all men and women merely players..."
This story should encourage all of us to know that we are special and we can fulfill the purpose to which we are born to accomplish.
Never allow yourself to get discouraged and think that your life is insignificant and cannot make a change. For the Lord Krsna each one of us is as special as the pencil to Dada. And if we too follow the rules laid down by Dada religiously we can work wonders.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
This story was told to us by Rev Fr. Pathickal at the Human Resource Development Programme (HRDP). All the my batch mates (ISC 2005) must have had fond memories of HRDP but this story of The Pencil Maker deeply inspired me.
With Regards,
Nirav Katrodia