Careers

Career

 CHILDRENS STORIES

Peter "do you know what a career is?" ". Of course I do… its one of those iron rack they put on cars, buses and trucks to carry things". "Peter, that is no what I am talking about" "What are you talking about?" "I'm talking about policeman, teacher doctor…you know" "Well why didn't you say so" " I did" ", "no you didn't, you said ca-re- er not career" "Okay, okay so what is it?" "Well, a career is what you want to be in life like a leader"  But Peter, my teacher said; a career is what you to do for people.

 

The discussion continued down the street. By the time they had reached the corner leading to their different homes they had still not decided on who had the correct idea of what a career was. So the boys shook hands and said goodbye having decided to go and ask their parents what a career is. They would meet the next day, which was Saturday, and come up with a better idea of whatever a career is.

 

Tambo arrived home as usual and found his mother in the kitchen. "Hello mum" "Hello T" everyone called Tambo T at home, even his younger sister. He liked the name but took care not to show that he liked it. It was one of those nicknames that could land you in T - for trouble. T sat down quietly. His mother put some tea before him as she asked him "did you have a nice day?"  "Yes" said Tambo. Then he asked  his mother what she was doing. "Cooking" she said. "Is that what you do all day?", "partly" said Tambo mother. " the rest of the day I wash dishes, sweep the house, clean the clothes, go to the market and take care of your sister and all the other things a good wife and mother does." is that your career?". Tambo's mother kept quiet for a long time. "Tambo" she said "A lot of people think so but, that is what I do, that is not my career. My career is taking care of you. My career is bringing up my family".

 

Peter arrived home, just as his mother got off the bus and into the house. They walked into the house together. Peter's mother said "I am so tired; I had so much work to do in the office today". "Does your career make you tired?" asked Peter.  "Yes" said his mother. She was quiet for a moment then added "but I enjoy it" "Do you always do thing you enjoy?" asked Peter. "No, not always but it is a very important job, you know". "Mum, is it a job or career". "Both really, but ask your dad when he gets home" said his mother.

 

Peter's father was a professor. A real professor. He had answers to everything. Peters mum always asked him to ask his dad when he asked difficult questions. So Peter knew this was a difficult question. At supper time Peter's father wrestled with the question until he said "A career is something you do in life, from which you can earn a living. It is best to select something which you like to do so that you do not get bored. And something you do well so that you can excel, and something that pays you enough money to live on, otherwise you will get tired of it. Yes my dear Peter, that is a career.

 

Tambo, never quite got to his father because Saturday is the day he prepares his sermons, but he did say that a career is something God made you to do. His dad also said that everyone has a career. It is their job to find out what it is and do it.

 

When the two boys met on Saturday to play. They only said one sentence to each about careers before they got down to serious playing. "I need a career because I want to do something good with my life" said Tambo. "And I want a career because I am going to be somebody very important" said Peter.

 

Allan

2007