Know Your Worth
Introduction
Once upon a time, in a small town, there lived a young man named Alan. Alan was a hardworking fellow and gave his all to his job at the shoe factory, where he had been employed for five years.
Alan and His Unappreciated Work
But his hard work and dedication were never appreciated, and no matter how hard he tried, he was always made to feel like he wasn't doing enough.
— Alan, are the designs for the new children's shoe collection ready? — I'm, I'm working on them. — What? You're still working on them? I wanted them an hour ago! — But you only gave me the project two hours ago. — And an hour isn't enough? They're children's shoes, how long can it take? — Uh, give me a few more hours. I'll finish them. — Ah, I'm tired of your laziness, Alan! You have one hour. Finish them and bring them to my desk. — But... — Hmm. — Sure.
— Alan, come to dinner! — No, you go ahead. I need to finish something. — Alright.
Plans Change
— Mr. Logan, I've prepared the designs for you. — What designs? — For the children's shoes. — Ah, you know what? I spoke with Kathy from marketing, and she thinks we should do the women's collection first. — Oh! — Yes, make the best shoe designs on the market and bring them to me in an hour. — An hour? — Is there a problem, Alan? — No, no, Mr. Logan, of course not. — Good. And what do I do with these designs? — Forget about them, throw them in the bin, I don't care. I don't need them anymore. — Ah.
Dedication Without Reward
Poor Alan was so underestimated at work. He worked late, while his colleagues left, and just when he thought he was done for the day, he would receive more work.
— Alan! — Good, you're still here. — Mr. Logan, did you like the women's collection? — Uh, they were wonderful, but that's not what I want to talk about. Where are the children's shoe designs? — Well, I threw them away, because you said... — No, Alan, Alan, Alan! You know I hate excuses. I need those designs ready and on my desk by tomorrow morning. It seems our rivals are launching their children's collection. We need to get into stores before them, clear? — Yes, Mr. Logan. Of course. — Good. Now excuse me, but I'm late for a party. Bye, sir, excuse me.
Hope for a Better Life
That evening, Alan worked late, as he did almost every night. On his way home, he ate the cold sandwich he bought for lunch.
— It's okay, Alan. It's worth it. Tomorrow you'll be named employee of the year, and of course, it will be you.
Hardships at Home
Alan lived with his mother in a small apartment and didn't have an easy life.
— Alan, is that you? — Yes, Mom. I'm sorry, I'm late again. I'll cook you something right away. — Here, Mom. I'll bring you your medicine too. — Ah, the landlord came again. He wants the rent for the last three months, otherwise we have to leave here.
— Oh, don't worry, Mom. Tomorrow I'll surely be promoted, and then our life will be easier. — Oh, you work so hard, son. I hope you get what you deserve.
A New Day, A New Hope
That evening, Alan went to bed hoping that by tomorrow morning his life would be happier. The next day, Alan went to work with a smile on his face, confident that he would win the Employee of the Year trophy.
Employee of the Year Announcement
— Attention, everyone! As you know, it's time to announce the Employee of the Year, and do you know who it is? This person has not only shown professionalism, dedication, and discipline, but has strived the most to do the job right. Ladies and gentlemen, the Employee of the Year... Miss Kathy from marketing! — Yay! Woohoo! Woohoo!
— What? — Bravo, Kathy! Woohoo!
Alan's Disappointment
Alan stood still, as the world around him crumbled. Tears began to well up in his eyes, while everyone congratulated Kathy, who had only been with the company for six months.
— No. It's not fair. But I'm happy for her.
Alan walked aimlessly, lost in his thoughts. The accumulating rent, the money for his mother's pills, the fact that he wasn't appreciated at work—all of it saddened him.
The Old Man's Lesson
— Hey, that's my key, my stone! — Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know. I'll give it to you. Here you go. I apologize. — Thank goodness it didn't break! My dear stone! — Uh, sorry to ask, but what's so special about this ordinary stone? — Ordinary, son? Nothing in the world is ordinary. Everything has its value in the right place.
— Uh, I don't quite understand. — Hmm, alright. Take this stone and go to the ornament shop over there and ask how much they would pay for it. Find out its value and come back.
— Uh, okay. — 50 cents. That's what they'd pay. — Good. Now you see that bookstore? Go and see how much it's worth there.
— 5 dollars. That's what they'd pay. — Hmm, alright. Now, go to that museum and ask how much they would pay for it.
— My goodness! This isn't just any stone, sir! It's a lunar meteorite! I'll pay you... — What did you say? — Ow, they said 50 thousand dollars! — Hmm, yes, now it's not so ordinary, is it?
— It's, it's incredible. To know that something worth 50 thousand dollars somewhere, is only worth 5 cents at a normal shop and 5 dollars at an ornament shop. — Exactly. We, humans, are like this stone. We are all extraordinary in our own way. It only matters where we choose to place ourselves. I want you to know, Alan, that the right place appreciates your true worth. Don't stay in unsuitable places and be sad, because you are underestimated. From now on, you know what to do. Take care.
— Hey, but that's... Wait! How do you know my name? — Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! — What? Where did he disappear?
A New Direction
At that moment, a silken breeze caressed his face, and Alan stood up, with an expression full of determination, for the first time that day. He put the stone in his pocket and went to the office.
— Oh, no! He didn't go there to work. He went to get his things and tell Mr. Logan that he wouldn't be working there anymore. — Wait, but hey!
Value Recognized
Alan found a new job at another shoe factory, which not only appreciated his qualities but also respected him as a person. He paid all his debts and hired an assistant to always take care of his mother. Now, Alan was not only happy but also content, because he had found his worth and was in a place where others knew it too. As for the stone, Alan kept it with him to remind him of the man who taught him an important lesson: The right place appreciates you for your true worth.
