The Boat Painter is a beautiful New Year Story that will capture your heart. It is a short story that celebrates hard work, sincerity, and character.
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” Colossians 3:23-24
Let us Get into the New Year Story
In a beautiful fishing village, there lived a father with his two children. He owned a boat that was old and poorly maintained. On New Year’s Eve, his children wanted to take a ride in the boat. So, the man hired a painter and asked him to paint the boat as it was dirty and looked worn out.
The next morning, the painter came and began to paint the boat a bright teal blue, just as asked by the owner.
The painter noticed a small hole in the hull, which he could not ignore. He immediately started to repair it and was relieved only after closing it. However, he never mentioned any of this to the owner of the boat. When he finished painting the boat, he received his payment and left the place.
The next day, the painter was surprised to see the owner of the boat running toward his hut. He was taken aback when the owner hugged him. The painter did not understand the reason for this gesture. Moreover, the owner of the boat gave him some cash. The painter told the boat owner that he had already received payment for his work. The owner said that the money was not for the paint job but for repairing the hole in the boat and began to profusely thank him.
The painter said that he had done something that anyone would have done at that moment. It was only a small service, and it was not worth paying such a high amount for something so insignificant.
The owner said, “You do not understand what a great service you have done.” The owner started explaining the reason for his action. When the paint dried, his kids took the boat and went on a fishing trip. They were not aware of the hole either. The owner was not at home then. When he returned, he was shocked to see that his children had taken the boat. He became very desperate and helpless when he remembered the hole in the boat.
He ran toward the beach. To his relief and joy, he saw his children getting down from the boat. He hugged them, and his children were surprised by his behavior. He quickly examined the boat and found that the hole had been repaired. Immediately, he knew that the painter had done this job. So, he came to thank him as he had saved the life of his children. He said that any amount of money is not good enough to pay his noble deed.
The painter is a great example of someone who did more than what was required. He carried out his work with diligence and performed exceptionally in his job. He took ownership and did the right thing, and went about it humbly. He paid attention to the relevant details because no matter how fabulous the boat looked after the paint job, it was only fit for purpose if it was seaworthy.
Moral of the New Year Story (Motivating Stories)
Does this story make you think of the “holes” in your lives? Has someone taken the effort to repair the holes in your lives for good?
Each one of us has “holes” that need attention immediately. Many times, many people would have helped us repair these holes by their kind gestures and action. We also have a moral responsibility to offer help to people in need as our “small” work may dramatically improve others’ lives. We never know when someone requires us or when the Almighty want us to be helpful and important to someone. We must listen attentively, wipe tears, and repair the “leaks” that come across our lives. At the end of our lives, we may have assisted several people without realizing how many lives we have changed.
Let us be thankful to God and the people He had sent to help us repair our boat. Let us start this new year with good wishes, thoughts, guidance, care, and prayers. Let us be kind, thoughtful, compassionate, and serve others with care. Remember, our “smallest deeds” may save countless lives.
This New Year Story is a lovely way for us to discover the reason behind successful people. The New Year Story teaches us not only to work hard but be diligent and truthful in our work.
If you had enjoyed reading this New Year Story, please share this New Year Story with others. Thank you!
Check our wide collection of Moral Stories that will inspire you and your children to do great things for the good of others. These stories for kids are motivating stories that will teach valuable lessons.
