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Listening
Contributed by Father Al Jenkins
Years ago there was a young man in dire need of a job. Because he lacked experience, he was unqualified for most of the jobs for which he applied. He grew more discouraged with each rejection.
He perked up when he heard about a telegraph operator position available at a local company. Although he’d never operated a telegraph machine, as a boy he’d learned Morse Code from his grandfather.
But, his hopes were dashed as soon as he reached the reception area of the company. Chairs were already filled with applicants - all dressed much better than himself. No one sat at the reception desk, but a sign posted on it informed job applicants to fill out an application and have a seat until they were summoned to a nearby office for an interview. From the partially open door of the office, the tapping of a telegraph machine could be heard. The young man took a seat and completed the form.
He was called into the room for an interview and several minutes later he came back out with a smile and left the reception area.
The owner of the company followed him out as he left and he said, “Thanks so much for coming, ladies and gentlemen. I just hired someone for the job, so you may leave your completed forms on the desk as you depart.”
A gentleman who was impeccably dressed, stood up and protested, saying, “Hold on one minute. We’ve been sitting here for hours. None of us have been interviewed. How can you hire the last guy who walked in without speaking to any of us first?”
The owner of the company replied, “Well, while you were sitting here, the telegraph machine has been broadcasting your fate:
'If you can understand this message, come into my office and the job will be yours'.”
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