Book 2, Story 1
Two co-workers are late for work. One is fired and one is told he is a good worker. A third co-worker is on a healthy diet.
Good Food for Good Workers
Perry Albert worked at Mace, Inc. He got the job about a year after Jake came to live with him. Jake was Perry’s guide dog. Before Jake, Perry had trouble going out alone. Now, he went to work five days a week.
At Mace, Perry’s talked to people on the phone. Jake sat quietly below Perry’s desk. On one Friday, Perry was 20 minutes late for work. He went to his boss’s office. Perry said, “Alice, I’m sorry I’m late. The 1320 bus had a flat tire. I heard someone say we ran over a board in the street. I guess it had a nail in it.”
Alice said, “Not a problem, Perry. Your first list of calls is on your desk.”
Perry turned to leave. He heard Delvin Moss’s voice in Alice’s office. Perry said, “Good morning, Delvin.”
Delvin said, “Back at ya.” After Perry left, Delvin said to Alice, “Why didn’t you fire him? He was two minutes later than me. I guess you wouldn’t fire me if I was blind, huh?”
Alice said, “Being blind has nothing to do with it. Perry has worked here for three years. This is the first time he has been late. You have been here a month and been late 15 times. I told you on Tuesday not to be late again this month. I said I would fire you. It’s your own fault.”
“It’s not really my fault, Alice. Perry has a dog to wake him up. I’m a hard sleeper and I live alone. I don’t hear my alarm clock. Give me another chance, Alice.”
Alice walked over to her window. She could see all the workers. She said, “Look out there, Delvin. What do you see?”
Delvin looked. “I just see a bunch of people doing their jobs.”
Alice said, “That’s right. They’re all working. If you were out there, you would be goofing off. You were late often. Then you goofed off for an hour before you started. So, you don’t get another chance. But, remember what happened here. Do things differently at your next job. You are a good worker when you work. Just decide to arrive on time and work all day.”
“Like you say,” Delvin said, “I’m a good worker. So what if I am late sometimes. I’ll work late any day you want me to. I’m just not a morning person.”
“Sorry, Delvin. You blew your last chance. Go home. Start looking for a new job. And, when you find one, change your ways,” Alice said. She was standing near the door with her arms crossed. Delvin knew he was not going to win. He finally stood up and left her office. Alice followed him to his desk. She stood there while he put his things in a bag. Then she walked him to the door and said, “Goodbye, Delvin. And, good luck!”
Delvin went out the door. Alice turned around and six faces were looking at her. No one was saying a word. Jewel Smith sat next to Perry. He asked her, “Why is it so quiet? What’s going on?”
Jewel said, “I think Delvin just got fired for being late.”
“Oh, no!” Perry said, “I was late today, too. I sure hope I don’t get fired.” Perry was starting to sweat when he heard Alice’s footsteps. He knew she had heard him.
Alice said to Perry and everyone else in the room, “You won’t get fired for being late if you have a good reason. Things happen. You all are almost always here on time. And, when you are here, you work hard. That’s what good employees do. So, you have nothing to worry about.”
Perry said, “Thanks, Alice. I love my job. I would hate to lose it.”
Alice smiled. She said, “I know you feel that way, Perry. And, it shows.” Then she looked around the room. She said, “OK, everyone. Show’s over. Back to work.” The sounds of busy workers took over the room.
At noon sharp, all work stopped. Every Friday at Mace was potluck day. Perry always made banana pudding since it was something he knew how to make. The rest of the group usually brought something different each week. But, whatever they brought, it was always a great lunch. They all went into the break room. Jewel put plates around the table. She put a small plate in front of one chair. Alice laughed and asked, “What’s with the small plate, Jewel? Who doesn’t get to eat much?”
Jewel said, “That’s my plate. I’m on the ‘small plate’ diet. I can eat anything I want as long as it fits on that plate.”
“That sounds like a healthy diet,” Alice said. “Is there another small plate in there?”
“Sure is,” Jewel said, as she swapped out one of the plates with a smaller one.
Perry said, “I sure hope you didn’t take my big plate, Jewel. I don’t want you putting me on a diet.”
“You still have a big plate, Perry. You can eat all you want,” Jewel laughed. “Maybe you can put a little meat on those bones of yours!”
What do you think?
- Step by step, explain how you think Perry made the banana pudding.
- Think about the plates Jewel put on the table. How could you decide whether the plate she put there for herself was small or the other plates large?
What would you do?
- Think about how you feel about being late for work. What would you do if you were a good worker, but had trouble getting to work on time?New Paragraph
