The Award
After everything was packed, Papa and his family got in the old black Plymouth they owned. Papa started the engine, and headed off. The ride to the next work place was about an hour. When they arrived there, Papa got out and introduced himself to the man who would be employing them and providing them a place to stay temporarily.
“He seems very nice,” said Papa.
“I hope so,” replied Mama, “Where do we stay?”
“He said there’s a barn near the grape fields out back,” said Papa. “It’s also furnished. They have parties there sometimes.” The black car slowly drove down the narrow lane leading to the barn.
“Wow!” said Panchito in an excited tone. “This place is huge!”
“I know,” said Papa. “Let’s unpack.” They were done in about an hour. Work began tomorrow. For now, it was just time to relax and recharge.
It was just another ordinary day for Papa. He got up, took a shower, and did the rest of his morning routine. After that, he went off to work and arrived right on time, just as he had done every day for the last few weeks. While he was busily working, his supervisor summoned him. Papa quickly got up, his mind racing with thoughts of having an extended work period there or being told that he was no longer needed. That thought made him shiver, even though it was ninety degrees outside.
Papa walked up to the makeshift office in a shed that said, SUPERVISOR’S OFFICE in bold, white lettering. He slowly opened the door and sat down in the empty chair in the dusty, unorganized office. “Papa,” said the burly man who sat behind a table with a glass of ice cold water on it. “You have been nominated as this year’s The Lazy do Nothing Constructive Award winner!”
Papa, who was very confused asked, “What?”
“Yes,” said the supervisor. “Congratulations!”
“Is this some kind of joke?” spoke a skeptical Papa. “I’m the most productive person working in these fields.”
“Yes, I know that, the employees here nominated you,” said the supervisor.
“Ok,” said Papa, and with that he left.
When Papa got back to the fields, he was confused. He never even knew there was such an award. If Papa ever got an award, he would want it to be something that showed his productiveness, not an award that ruined the reputation that was known about him. All his life, Papa was known to go above and beyond. The reason for this is because he grew up in a poorer family and had to do lots of chores. He wanted to make his family as happy as possible, and after years of doing that, his character was where it is today. He decided to put the thought aside and got back to work.
After Papa finished his job out in the field, his supervisor summoned him again. Papa went up and opened the door to the “office” and sat down once again. “Papa, you really amaze me,” said the supervisor. “You can be put in the most challenging situations and still succeed. You see, that award you were given was a test to see if you would be affected by a feeling inside you that might make a person think twice about their character, but you, you just shrugged it off and got back to work. We need more people like you Papa.”
“I still don’t understand,” replied Papa.
“I want to hire you as a foreman during the busy seasons and when things start to slow down, you could be somewhat of a handy man for me,” said the supervisor. “Are you up for it?”
“Sure!” responded Papa almost immediately. “I’ll do it!”
“Alright!” said the supervisor. “You’re hired!”
Papa left with a feeling in his heart of immense joy. When he got to his home, he announced the news to his family. “Guess what?” said Papa.
“What?” they responded in unison.
“We’re staying here permanently!” he yelled. Everyone cheered and hugged each other. It was as if the world was a party. Papa’s family never packed those boxes with their belongings ever again after that day when the circuit ended permanently.
