Friday, December 27, 2013

The Parable of the Unwise Lumberjack

 Photo: The Lumberjack

There was a young man who was known for great strength.
Working hard as an ax man, in the high Rocky mount's
he was strong, yes indeed, but a mind, in short length
was something he lacked. small flaw, But counts!

On with the story. This man in his brute
went forth to cut trees, he was in an attempt
to gather a prize! the  great braggers loot 
to he that, felling the most, had forth went! 

To break this great record, the man and his might,
twenty-one trees must be down by the nights fall
he set out at dawn to start on his quest. th' light
of noon day found nine trees left to fall!

When night fall had come he found that the goal
had been missed by three trees in his midst!
Three trees short he took courage! His prize bowl
was in reach! Work through lunch with ax in fist!

Another days work found him short of the prize.
and again and again! 'till he fell down in rage
“I cannot!” he cried “I have come to despise
this forest and work and the whole cutting page!”

He wanted to quite but thought “one more try!”
he asked his best mate, “what else can I do?
I am strong, I work hard, till my mouth becomes dry”
the response he received was simple to do!

His friend in his wisdom knew just what was wrong!
“after each tree you cut take five minutes or so
to sharpen your ax, you see it's not long!”
confused, and annoyed he left and did go!

The next day he tried just what he was told
sharpened his ax after each fallen tree
and wouldn't ya know when his count unrolled
thirty-two trees was the total cut by he

oft times we work hard it important and true!
But take time to work smart, I promise 
that you, like this man, will find  time to
follow the council to work smart and wise
   -Elder Forsyth


The Lumberjack

There was a young man who was known for great strength.
Working hard as an ax man, in the high Rocky mount's
he was strong, yes indeed, but a mind, in short length
was something he lacked. small flaw, But counts!...

On with the story. This man in his brute
went forth to cut trees, he was in an attempt
to gather a prize! the great braggers loot
to he that, felling the most, had forth went!

To break this great record, the man and his might,
twenty-one trees must be down by the nights fall
he set out at dawn to start on his quest. th' light
of noon day found nine trees left to fall!

When night fall had come he found that the goal
had been missed by three trees in his midst!
Three trees short he took courage! His prize bowl
was in reach! Work through lunch with ax in fist!

Another days work found him short of the prize.
and again and again! 'till he fell down in rage
“I cannot!” he cried “I have come to despise
this forest and work and the whole cutting page!”

He wanted to quit but thought “one more try!”
he asked his best mate, “what else can I do?
I am strong, I work hard, till my mouth becomes dry”
the response he received was simple to do!

His friend in his wisdom knew just what was wrong!
“after each tree you cut take five minutes or so
to sharpen your ax, you see it's not long!”
confused, and annoyed he left and did go!

The next day he tried just what he was told
sharpened his ax after each fallen tree
and wouldn't ya know when his count unrolled
thirty-two trees was the total cut by he

oft times we work hard it important and true!
But take time to work smart, I promise
that you, like this man, will find time to
follow the council to work smart and wise
-Elder Forsyth


Thank you Elder Forsyth for the parable! It is so true that we need to both work hard and to work smart. For we all can use brain and brawn!

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