Previous – Book1 Page31 – Next
privacy. They step outside into the Market Square, each holding a small cupcake in their hand, and they find an empty bench where they can sit together peacefully.
KristalClear’s day is getting better. She’s now in a philosophical mood as she surveys all the businesses and thinks about the employment opportunities surrounding the square.
Looking back towards Chadwicks, then further down Market Street she can just make out the Wolfland Bank sign above the door. That’s where Mr Wood works. In the same area, though beyond the pedestrian zone and out of sight, is The Lancastrian where NutJob works.
“If you didn’t work at The Lancastrian what would you actually choose to do?”
“I’d make aeroplanes,” says NutJob, “if I could!”
“No. Not grand schemes. I mean regular employment. What sort of job would you really like?”
“Dunno really! I wonder why my dad has a job in a bank? Or why yours chose to run a shop?”
“How do you get somebody to do something?” asks KristalClear.
“How do you get anybody to do anything?” replies NutJob.
“It’s the same question really,” says KristalClear, “ how do you get somebody to do something? I’m asking you, because this is the chat that I have with maman from time to time. She’s a teacher at Willowdene Primary.”
“How does she get on with that? Persuading kids?”
“You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink. That’s her philosophy. But there’s more to it than that. What happens if you never lead a horse to water?”
With no hesitation NutJob says, “you end up with an angry horse!”
“Or it will find some water another way. If it can’t get it here, it’ll go elsewhere, it will run away if necessary, it can’t live without water.”
“So it’s carrot and stick?” asks NutJob, “except the horse is the one with the stick, telling you to stick it when she’s mistreated?”
Previous – Book1 Page31 – Next