Gurudev was always telling us stories. Stories which illustrated a point. Here is one of them. “Maniram was a carpenter and an exceptionally good one at that. He was known for his superior workmanship and expertise. But now he was becoming old and felt he had done enough work in his life.
So he went to his employer and told him that he wanted to retire. “At that point of time, his employer was building a row of houses. He said to Maniram, “You have worked for me all these years very well. Please, as a personal favour, will you do the carpentry work in one last house for me? I will be very grateful.”
“How could Maniram refuse? He picked up his tools and reluctantly went to work. But his heart was not in it. Some days later he went to his employer and said, “Sir, here you are. I have finished my work. May I go now?” “Just a moment”, said his master. From his pocket, he drew a brand new shining key and gave it to Maniram.
“As a reward for all the work you have done for me over the past so many years, Maniram, this house is my gift to you.” Maniram was dismayed, but he smiled weakly as he took the key. “If only I had not done such shoddy work”, he said to himself, “I would have had one of the finest houses in this row!”
So, “Any work worth doing, is worth doing well”, is what Gurudev used to say. “Otherwise don’t do it.”