The Old Hack

This parable was recounted to me by a former boss in my days in Human Resources. I don't think it is attributable, but if it is, then my apologies for any unintentional plagiarism. The story (retold in my words) goes like this:

A young man was walking uphill to a mountain village from a village in the valley. He had a sad face, and was carrying all his belongings in a large rucksack on his back. He passed a church between the two villages. The priest was standing outside.
"Hello" said the priest. "Where are you going carrying all that weight?"
"I'm going to the mountain village to seek my fortune, father." said the young man. "Everybody in the other village gossips about people behind their backs. They are far more interested in your business than their own, and one way and another I really became unhappy and decided to leave." He looked up at the priest, and added: "Father. What is the mountain village like?"
"well, my child," replied the priest. "I think you'll find it pretty much the same."

A couple of days later, the priest encountered a second young man, heading down the mountain with a large rucksack on his back. This young man, too, had a melancholy look in his eye.

"Where are you bound, young man?" asked the priest. "To the village in the valley", replied the young man. "I have lost my job, so I am going to make a new start."

"Is that why you are looking so sad?" asked the priest.

"No, father. It's because I'm leaving behind some wonderful friends and neighbours. They have always been kind to me, and helped me out when times were hard. I will really miss my lovely little village." The young man looked up at the priest and added: "Father, what is the other village like?"

The priest smiled and said "Well, my child. I think you'll find it pretty much the same."

Article first published by the author in Helium.com - 4th September 2007