Get Your Own Dirt!

The story is told that at the end of the American Revolutionary War, the newly-formed nation came close to disaster. The government, which was short on funds, owed back pay to army officers, men who had fought long and hard for the nation’s independence. There was talk that the army would not disband until paid, and perhaps even march on the capitol. Mutiny was at hand. Hurriedly, George Washington assembled the officers and urged them to be patient. He produced a letter from Congress explaining the difficulties the new government faced. He started to read, stumbled over the words, and stopped. He seemed lost. Then Washington pulled from his pocket something his army had never seen him use before: spectacles. The officers leaned forward. Speaking softly, he said:

“Gentlemen, you must pardon me. I have grown gray in your service, and now find myself growing blind.” Suddenly, the anger that had permeated the assembled throng subsided. Deeply touched by their majestic leader’s willingness to appear…