Transcript
One of my favorite things in life has to be those funny stories with powerful lessons. And this one in particular, I love because it taught me early on that it's okay to ask questions. It's okay to not accept things as they are. It's okay to want to know the reasons. And the story goes something like this. There's a kid, maybe, let's say he's 16 years old, and he's getting ready to go to a party. But for this party, he's got to dress formal, so he's got to put on a tie. So he goes to his father, because he's never done it before, and asks him how to do this, how do I put on a tie. And his dad says, of course, yeah, I can teach you. So go ahead and lay down, and then I'll teach you how to do it. So the kid lays down, the dad, you know, wraps it around the neck, does the team, tutu-to-to-to, there you go. And the tie is perfect, the kid is happy, but he wonders why he had to lay down. As a matter of fact, in his mind, it kind of made it harder to put on the tie. because he had to go behind the neck. So the kid sits up and tells his dad is like, Dad, can you explain to me why do I have to lay down? And the dad confused, I guess he's never thought about it, just replied, I don't really know, son, but I think that's how it's done. That is how your grandpa taught me. A few days go by, and the kid can't let it go. He's thinking about this. Like, why did I have to lay down to put on a tie? It doesn't make sense. And he's visiting his grandpa this day. So he's like, it's a perfect opportunity. I'm going to ask him. You know, he's got to know why. My dad doesn't know. Grandpa has to know. So he goes to his grandpa and says, like, Grandpa, I had a party the other day. I know you heard. And I dressed up in a suit, and I had to put on a tie. And dad helped me to do this. He taught me how to do a tie. And the grandpa said, oh, I'm so proud of you. That's awesome. Yeah, but I have a question. When I asked Dad to help me put on a tie to teach me how to do it. He asked me to lay down, and when I didn't understand why, he told me that you taught him that is the way that it has to be done. And the grandpa gets really confused about it, and then has a eureka moment. And he starts to laugh. And he tells his grandson, okay, I know what happened. You see, when your dad was small, my first real job was working at a mortuary. And the thing I had to do all the time was... put suits on the deceased. So my muscle memory must have kicked in when I taught your dad how to do this. And he never asked me why I asked him to lay down.
Comments
@storicious: Kids are the most genius and creative beings on this planet. Their questions, if they are encouraged well, can surprise anyone, anywhere. The fun part is being an adult, where one has to come to such a level that is easy to comprehend. Just how beautiful human beings are: one generation is asking question, middle one never thought about it, and third one had a reason. Maybe the first one had seen others doing it some other way. Short story yet enough to make me wander. Sometimes the questions are way more thoughtful compares to the answers. Wow!
@creativeworkhour: Life lessons from the morgue!!
@friendlymoose: I already thought that the story was going that way. But the morale is good. Always question the things you do and ask why. That's what I tell interns at work too. Sometimes we have been doing things for such a long time that we don't even remember why and the interns sometimes come up with better ways. Quite refreshing!
@chinito: ah ha. thats a good one. i like story time. :)
@kenny-crane: Your necktie story reminds me of the Ham Baking story, similar plot. Thanks for sharing! !ALIVE !BBH !UNI !PIZZA !LADY
@harvestmoon299: I never heard this story, but it reminds me of the one about baking a ham and cutting off the ends. Do you know this one? This reveals that, while traditions are carried over, the reason for them may no longer be applicable. replied to 2:40 on 3speak.tv
@thoms2: Curiosity builds connection
@pizzabot: PIZZA! $PIZZA slices delivered: @kenny crane (3/10) tipped @meno Learn more at