Lesson: Jobs That People Do

A. Picture Discussion (Picture not provided)

Many of us think we must have a steady, well-paying job to be happy in life. Is that always true?

1. Look at the picture.
2. Discuss in pairs what you see in it.

(Note: Please refer to the picture provided with your original lesson materials.)

B. Reading

Finding Happiness in a Nursery

I know you will be surprised if I say that the best thing that ever happened to me was when I left my last job. Yes, really!

I was a desk clerk in an office. But believe me, I never liked my job. Nothing can be more boring than being stuck in an office all day with computers and telephones.

So, after two years or so, I decided to leave my job even though I had a good salary. Now I’m the owner of a nursery. Planting seeds, budding, grafting, taking care of saplings, cleaning the flower beds, and spending time with trees are all part of my full-time job.

I start work very early. In summer, I usually leave home at 5:30 in the morning, but in winter not until about 7. I have a small hut in my nursery. There is no greater pleasure for me than seeing the moon from there or walking through the trees on a soft, moonlit night.

Winter is just over, so I’m cleaning up the winter flower garden. Now I’m busy producing more timber and medicinal plants, which people will buy from July. Every season is so different, and I love them all. When I compare my present days with the past, I simply can’t understand how I could survive in my previous job.

I love nature. I just love working outside in the open air after all those months in a stuffy office. Gadgets never attract me and perhaps never will.

I’m not married. I do my own work, even cook my own food. I try not to depend on others for the work I can do myself. Often, my friends are annoyed with me. They say I should hire a maid for household chores. They are not happy to see me living this “rustic” life. They are professionals. They earn a lot of money—maybe much more than I do—but I think I enjoy my work more.

At weekends, I often go to the countryside, sometimes with my friends, sometimes alone. I love collecting unknown saplings. I have another hobby: I love collecting stamps. I have a Russian stamp from the period of Lenin.

I don’t watch TV. Almost everyone has a TV these days, but I don’t. How is that?

The only problem I face is that I don’t earn enough money in all seasons. Winter and the monsoon are my two busy seasons. But it’s OK. Maybe I don’t earn as much as many other people around me, but I at least earn enough for my family, employees, and me to live a decent life. I must say I’m a very happy man!

Questions:

1. What is the best thing that ever happened to this man?
2. Why didn't Kamal like his last job?
3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of his current job?
4. When does he earn the most money?
5. What attitude of Kamal is reflected in the lines: “Maybe I do not earn as much as many other people around me, but I at least earn enough for my family, employees, and me to live a decent life”?

C. Question Formation and Answering

Ask and answer questions about Kamal. Use the clues given.

Example:

• …married?

Q: Is he married?

A: No, he isn’t. He isn’t married.

1. …happy?
2. When… leave home in summer?
3. What… plant after winter?
4. What… do at the weekend?
5. What… collect?

D. Character Analysis

Look at the following table. The left column shows some positive aspects of Sayeed Kamal’s character. Add some more to the list. Also, identify some aspects of Sayeed that you think are unacceptable, and write them in the right column.

| Good Aspects of Sayeed | Unacceptable Aspects of Sayeed | |------------------------|------------------------------| | a. simple | a. old-fashioned | | b. diligent | b. loner | | c. loves nature | c. | | d. caring | d. | | e. | f. | | f. | g. | | g. | |

E. Writing

Write a paragraph describing Sayeed Kamal. Use the information from Section D to guide your writing.

F. Opinion

“I must say I’m a very happy man!” — Do you agree with Sayeed? Write why/why not.