Many years ago in a small village, an old man was hired to clear the spring up on the mountain.
Many
years
ago
in
a
small
village
,
an
old
man
was
hired
to
clear
the
spring
up
on
the
mountain
.
He patrolled the spring every day, and swept away all the leaves and other things that would dirty the fresh flow of water.
He
patrolled
the
spring
every
day
,
and
swept
away
all
the
leaves
and
other
things
that
would
dirty
the
fresh
flow
of
water
.
Soon, beautiful swans came to the clear spring, and the village became a popular attraction for visitors.
Soon
,
beautiful
swans
came
to
the
clear
spring
,
and
the
village
became
a
popular
attraction
for
visitors
.
Years passed.
Years
passed
.
One evening the town leaders held a meeting.
One
evening
the
town
leaders
held
a
meeting
.
As they looked at the salary list, one of them said, "Why do we keep this old man on year after year?
As
they
looked
at
the
salary
list
,
one
of
them
said
,
``
Why
do
we
keep
this
old
man
on
year
after
year
?
I don't think we need him or his work."
I
do
n't
think
we
need
him
or
his
work
.
''
Later, the old man was asked to leave.
Later
,
the
old
man
was
asked
to
leave
.
For several weeks, nothing changed.
For
several
weeks
,
nothing
changed
.
By early autumn, the leaves began to fall off the trees, and the spring was covered with leaves.
By
early
autumn
,
the
leaves
began
to
fall
off
the
trees
,
and
the
spring
was
covered
with
leaves
.
A few days later, the water was much darker.
A
few
days
later
,
the
water
was
much
darker
.
Only a few months after the old man left, all the swans left, as did the tourists.
Only
a
few
months
after
the
old
man
left
,
all
the
swans
left
,
as
did
the
tourists
.
Disease reached deeply into the village.
Disease
reached
deeply
into
the
village
.
Quickly, the leaders held a special meeting.
Quickly
,
the
leaders
held
a
special
meeting
.
Realizing their mistake, they rehired the old man.
Realizing
their
mistake
,
they
rehired
the
old
man
.
Then within a few weeks, the spring began to clear up.
Then
within
a
few
weeks
,
the
spring
began
to
clear
up
.
Soon new life returned to the village.
Soon
new
life
returned
to
the
village
.
So, my friends, do you see?
So
,
my
friends
,
do
you
see
?
No matter how small your work or your life seems to be, never overlook it.
No
matter
how
small
your
work
or
your
life
seems
to
be
,
never
overlook
it
.
Anything we can do will make a difference.
Anything
we
can
do
will
make
a
difference
.
Many years ago in a small village, an old man was hired to clear the spring up on the mountain. He patrolled the spring every day, and swept away all the leaves and other things that would dirty the fresh flow of water. Soon, beautiful swans came to the clear spring, and the village became a popular attraction for visitors.  Years passed. One evening the town leaders held a meeting. As they looked at the salary list, one of them said, "Why do we keep this old man on year after year? I don't think we need him or his work." Later, the old man was asked to leave.  For several weeks, nothing changed. By early autumn, the leaves began to fall off the trees, and the spring was covered with leaves. A few days later, the water was much darker. Only a few months after the old man left, all the swans left, as did the tourists. Disease reached deeply into the village.  Quickly, the leaders held a special meeting. Realizing their mistake, they rehired the old man. Then within a few weeks, the spring began to clear up. Soon new life returned to the village.  So, my friends, do you see? No matter how small your work or your life seems to be, never overlook it. Anything we can do will make a difference.