My brother, Scott, had been working for one of our neighbors, a farmer. I was a 5th grader and my brother came home and told me that I could come and work too. I was so excited. Scott warned me it was hard work and that I would have to get up early. I wasn't afraid of hard work and was excited about earning some money. I knew I could be as strong and work as hard as my big brother.
On Monday morning I started out a little blurry eyed, but ready to go. I was given a long corn knife and warned of its dangers and then sent out down a row to cut down any weeds that might threaten the beans from growing to their potential.
It was hot. It was hard work. At the end of the day my hands ached, blisters had formed and burst. I went home and went to bed right after dinner.
The next morning I got up, the ache had yet to leave my hands. Again we worked long and hard. Over lunch Mr. Navarude, knowing that I was in love with is horse, offered me his horse for a weeks worth of work instead of a paycheck. I was so excited.
I went home and my parents hesitantly said no. You see, my dad had promised me when I was little that I could have a horse when I could lift a bail of hay. I think he figured I'd have grown out of my desire for a horse by the time I could lift a bail of hay. But, I could lift a bail of hay now, and I still wanted a horse, so they actually thought about it, but in the end said no.
On day three I worked as hard as I could, but I just couldn't keep up with my brother. At the end of the day my whole hands were covered with blisters. I went home and wrapped them in ice. As I sat that evening in front of the television, not able to move my hands. I knew I couldn't go the next day. There was no way I could pick up a corn knife again. My hands hurt so badly.
As I cried myself to sleep, I felt worse. I had to admit to myself that I wasn't strong enough. I had to admit, that I had failed. I let myself down, but more importantly I let my brother down. I couldn't complete the job he had volunteered me for. I had failed myself and my brother. I couldn't complete what I had committed to. I didn't like that feeling at all. I vowed to never feel it again. I refused to ever fail again.
On Monday morning I started out a little blurry eyed, but ready to go. I was given a long corn knife and warned of its dangers and then sent out down a row to cut down any weeds that might threaten the beans from growing to their potential.
It was hot. It was hard work. At the end of the day my hands ached, blisters had formed and burst. I went home and went to bed right after dinner.
The next morning I got up, the ache had yet to leave my hands. Again we worked long and hard. Over lunch Mr. Navarude, knowing that I was in love with is horse, offered me his horse for a weeks worth of work instead of a paycheck. I was so excited.
I went home and my parents hesitantly said no. You see, my dad had promised me when I was little that I could have a horse when I could lift a bail of hay. I think he figured I'd have grown out of my desire for a horse by the time I could lift a bail of hay. But, I could lift a bail of hay now, and I still wanted a horse, so they actually thought about it, but in the end said no.
On day three I worked as hard as I could, but I just couldn't keep up with my brother. At the end of the day my whole hands were covered with blisters. I went home and wrapped them in ice. As I sat that evening in front of the television, not able to move my hands. I knew I couldn't go the next day. There was no way I could pick up a corn knife again. My hands hurt so badly.
As I cried myself to sleep, I felt worse. I had to admit to myself that I wasn't strong enough. I had to admit, that I had failed. I let myself down, but more importantly I let my brother down. I couldn't complete the job he had volunteered me for. I had failed myself and my brother. I couldn't complete what I had committed to. I didn't like that feeling at all. I vowed to never feel it again. I refused to ever fail again.
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