11
Sir Frederick Banting was never a great student. One year, Fred received a tongue lashing from his teacher for not being able to answer a question. Fred decided he was going to quit school, so he packed up and went home. When he got home, he told his mother that he was quitting school. Mrs. Banting was very upset and wanted him to return.His father, William Banting, came into the house, heard the story, and said that that was fine, that he needed some help on the farm doing chores. He pointed out that it was a shame that, by quitting school, Fred could never amount to more than a labourer. But, his dad asserted, good honest work is all right. So after lunch, he sent Fred out to clean the chicken coop.
This is the most unpleasant job on a farm. It is worse than shovelling cow manure, since chicken manure burns the eyes and hurts the lungs. Not another word was said, but the next day Fred went back to school. To drive the lesson home, William Banting thereafter gave Fred the job of cleaning the hen houses every Saturday morning.
12
We're nearly finished exploring the farm buildings.... |
 |
 |
 |