The customer was adamant! “Why do you have to bring that big box of tools into my house? Can’t you just use your hands?” Long Beach Plumber says to himself “Are You Kidding Me?”
Once upon a time, in the mists of history, before Wii, before X-Box 360, before Play Station, even before computers, in lands far from California, with such strange and foreign names like Kentucky and Tennessee, it was thought appropriate to raise children on large, open areas called farms. On these farms, there were many bizarre and unique customs.
Children were actually expected to work at labor intensive tasks. In these ancient times and desolate locations, there were no child abuse laws. Children were handed strange implements that were called “tools”, taught how to use them, and then given tasks using these dangerous things called tools. The horror!
Children actually had assigned tasks and they were expected to complete them. In addition to their school work, they usually had their before school chores and their after school chores. Their parents even expressed their displeasure if the children goofed off about completing their assigned chores.
For example, one man I know of was operating a horse drawn mowing machine at the age of seven. He had to walk great distances to a structure called a barn, get the horses out of their stalls, harness them, attach the team to the mowing machine, and head off to the field to be mowed, all without adult or government supervision. Clearly, children’s lives and safety were not of much concern. Sometimes he would work in a part of the farm referred to as a “garden” with a tool called a hoe. Supposedly, certain strange foods called vegetables were grown in the garden. These strange foods were consumed by these ancient peoples.
At other times of the year, children would be using a dangerous tool called a tobacco knife. They worked alongside adults cutting tobacco plants and piling them into a horse drawn wagon driven by another child of twenty-two years of age.
This man owned his first single shot .22 caliber rifle at seven years of age. At twelve, he owned a 12-guage shotgun and at thirteen, he owned a Remington pump action .22 caliber rifle. These strange people regarded guns as tools too. Today’s experts surmise that drive by shootings were completed with the horses at a full gallop.
Clearly, times have changed. Thank goodness! In California, we do not think children should operate motor vehicles until they are at least eighteen years old. In our informed and enlightened culture, we support and protect our children. When our children can not find their underwear or socks, we rush to their aid.
“Of course, you don’t have to put down the game controller to actually look for a job. When an employer wants you bad enough, they will come to you. And besides, you’re only thirty-four years old. You have your whole life in front of you. Why rush things?” “Thanks mommy. Is it okay if I stay in my pajamas and eat lunch in bed? I’m just about to beat the fourth level. Boy, it was really hard!”
“Honey, after you beat the fourth level, would you mind changing the light bulb in your desk lamp?” “Sure mom. No problem. I got your back. How do you do that anyway?”
“Wow! I did it! Are you proud of me mommy? Can I have a fork to eat this spaghetti?” “Can’t you just use your hands?”
And then there was the shocked customer, “Why do you have to come into my house? Can’t you just fix the problem from outside?”
