Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery was one of the heroes of World War II. He led the British Army with skill and confidence. He got the men good wages and facilities and rewards. Thus he earned their personal loyalty. The landing of the Allies at Normandy was his finest hour. His men fought boldly, dared all odds because they had trust in his leadership. For them he was a hero who could do no wrong. His hero, in turn, was the Prime Minister, Sir Winston Churchill. The two had very cordial relations. Yet they had their differences too. Some times they had heated arguments. But this did not diminish the love between the two. On one occasion the Prime Minister noticed a reference to two dentist's chairs, among the many items which had been trans- ported to Normandy. "Why were they sent? They are not weapons," Churchill wondered. He turned to his secretary, "remind me. I must point this out to the Field Marshal when he calls on us next." The Secretary made a note. Montgomery called on the Prime Minister early one morning. In his hand was a fat file relating to an important strategic plan. He was received by the secretary and led to the Prime Minister. Churchill welcomed the Field Marshal with a warm handshake. Then he picked up the cheroot and started puffing at it. Mont- gomery pushed the file across the table to Churchill. The Prime Minister studied it. he asked questions, sought clarifications, suggested changes. Finally the issue was settled.
The secretary walked in and reminded Churchill, "Sir. you wanted to discuss the issue of the dentist's chairs." "Thank you," he replied. The secretary moved out. The Prime Minister raised his voice slightly, I was going through the list of items sent to Normandy after the landing. Among the items transported were two dentist's chairs. Where was the need? We don't have money to burn. We are waging a war. We have to account for every penny." "You think we have wasted funds on dentist's chairs? There you go wrong," Montgomery glared at Churchill. Churchill did not say a word. But his chin was firm and set. Montgomery continued, "Mr Prime Minister, a soldier with a toothache is of no use to me. He can't fight." He saw the smile on Churchill's face and felt happy. "I should have known. No army can fight on an empty stomach. And no soldier can fight unless he is fit," Churchill agreed.
Meaning: No job can be done well unless the worker is well looked after. An army marches on its stomach.
Alternatives: A happy worker is an efficient worker. Men do their best in congenial settings.
The secretary walked in and reminded Churchill, "Sir. you wanted to discuss the issue of the dentist's chairs." "Thank you," he replied. The secretary moved out. The Prime Minister raised his voice slightly, I was going through the list of items sent to Normandy after the landing. Among the items transported were two dentist's chairs. Where was the need? We don't have money to burn. We are waging a war. We have to account for every penny." "You think we have wasted funds on dentist's chairs? There you go wrong," Montgomery glared at Churchill. Churchill did not say a word. But his chin was firm and set. Montgomery continued, "Mr Prime Minister, a soldier with a toothache is of no use to me. He can't fight." He saw the smile on Churchill's face and felt happy. "I should have known. No army can fight on an empty stomach. And no soldier can fight unless he is fit," Churchill agreed.
Meaning: No job can be done well unless the worker is well looked after. An army marches on its stomach.
Alternatives: A happy worker is an efficient worker. Men do their best in congenial settings.
No comments:
Post a Comment