I am finally getting off my duff to try an experiment. I am going to see if jokes would be a good source for teaching themes of lessons. So far I have usually done lessons with objects from around the house. Well I hope to put together an eBook called: Seriously Speaking: Using humor to teach serious topics. This book will not be for sale as I don’t know which jokes I read on the internet or that I use a joke that is copy-writed. When its done, I’ll post it as a free eBook. I think it could still be an interesting and maybe useful endeavor.
I hope this lesson can be useful to family devotionals, youth ministries, Counselors and family home evenings.
The Mechanic and The Surgeon
A mechanic was removing a cylinder head from the motor of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle when he spotted a well-known heart surgeon in his shop.
The surgeon was there waiting for the service manager to come take a look at his bike when the mechanic shouted across the garage, “Hey Doc, can I ask you a question?”
The surgeon, a bit surprised, walked over to where the mechanic was working on the motorcycle. The mechanic straightened up, wiped his hands on a rag and asked, “So Doc, look at this engine. I open its heart, take the valves out, repair any damage, and then put them back in, and when I finish, it works just like a new one. So how come I get such a small salary and you get the really big bucks, when you and I are doing basically the same work?”
The surgeon paused, smiled and leaned over, and whispered to the mechanic……”Try doing it with the engine running.”
I have always loved this joke. It can be used to teach multiple lessons: the values of life, pride, underestimating another’s abilities are just a few. Today it will be on developing our talents.
Both characters in this joke have spent years in refining their skills through education, practice and perseverance. One man thought that because he did a similar function that his skill set was close to the surgeon. But each man has an expertise that is specific and fulfills a direct need. The surgeon came to the mechanic because he was an expert in his field. So we would go to a surgeon for his or her specific abilities.
We need to review our own talents and abilities to define what are our current talents, what potential interests could be developed into talents, and how we can change the type of work we do from average or good to superior.
Such a review may require research, practice and self-analysis.
Please feel free to give additional thoughts you how you think this joke could be used to teach a lesson. Please give your comments in the comment section of the blog/site.
