“The bordello’s guard”: A story that shows us how crisis can become an opportunity…

Part 1

(to read part 2, click here)

I do have many friends of my age, or younger ones. But I am also proud of having many friends much older than me. Their wisdom and experience about life and business was always an important guide for me.

A very bad personal period…
It was the summer of 2000. I had just exited a very bad personal period, when I lost lots of money, without having made any mistake myself. "Coincidences" and "situations" had led me to a very bad position, at the limits of losing too much, more than I could handle. Except money, I also watched my efforts of years being demolished, part of a "river of problems" that had hit me…

I was discussing these problems with an older friend of mine, under the summer moon of Pieria (my home area), with Olympus mountain on our back and Thermaikos gulf on our front. Except my personal problems, the economic environment of Greece was bad as well. The stock market had collapsed, people were blocked and everyone was afraid of the winter. In the same time, the "dot com" bubble had burst in USA, causing problems to the world economy too.

"A real story may help you…"

That discussion was a really long one. But I still have it in mind, especially a story that he told me.
"I will tell you a real story that I know and I think that you may understand a lot. Are you ready?" "Shoot…"

"The bordello's guard"
"Once there was a bordello in a big city. A young guy was working there, already since several years. He was analphabet, but he was loyal, trustworthy and very good in his duties. His home village was quite far from the city, so he had found a small room to stay during the nights. This was his father's job too. He started going there since he was 10 years old…

One day he found out that the bordello was sold. He didn't pay attention, because he knew that any serious person would appreciate his hard work and his decent salary. But when he met the new owner, he was shocked…

– Hello, I am the new owner and I want to implement some changes here, according to the new laws as well.

– Of course, mister, I will do my best in order to adjust.

– Good, I want you to start writing down all the names of clients. Also what time they enter, what time they exit, ideally also if they were happy by our services

– I am sorry, but I don't know writing. Is it a problem if I do this after some months? I will search for a school and I will start studying immediately.

– Unfortunately this is not possible. I need this to be implemented fast, ideally today or next week.

– But I work here for so many years. I am honest, loyal, never caused problems, everyone can tell you this.

– I know, but we need to modernize ourselves. So, if you can not keep up with us, you will have to find another job.

The guard was very sad. He found it unfair… How could they fire him after so many years? What was this "modernization" that could not wait him for some months? Unfortunately for him, in few days he was fired and replaced by someone who knew writing…

Back to the village
The guard returned to his village, taking with him his poor belongings. He was new there, as he was missing for so many years. So he was not really welcomed. People were suspicious with him, but still he had to survive. He had few tools that were useful for his previous job, so he found a new job there, working once per week at a man's house. He was repairing what was destroyed, fence, walls etc.

First assignment
One day, as he was working, a gentleman passed by and saw him working.

– "Where did you find this hammer? I also need one and noone sells it here"

– "I have it from the city, I had bought it from there".

– "I want one too, but I don't have time to go there, where do they sell it?"

– "There is a shop on a big boulevard, behind the church…"

– "Look, would be possible for you to go to the city and buy it for me? You know the city really good, so it would not be so difficult for you".

– "I don't know…"

– "I will pay your expenses, plus your time, plus the cost of the hummer. When do you have 2 – 3 free days, in order for you to go there?"

– "The day after tomorrow I will be free".

Our hero went to the city by a horse he borrowed. He bought the hummer and returned after 2 days. The gentleman paid him for his services.

Tomorrow:

• More assignments…
• The first shop
• Back to the big city
• And a big lesson of life…