He Rang the Bell!

    Whenever someone gets a job, he gets to ring the bell in the office.

      Ponciano is a young side of middle age man who has been coming into our office for as long as we have been here. He has been looking for a job all that time. He came in at least three times a week.
 
     Ponciano is a Mapucho Indian. The Mapucho are an ancient tribe that lives mostly in the south of Chile. They are fierce. They have never been conquered. They still dress in the old tradition. Ponciano is "citified" and looks just like us, dresses like us, had a family and wants a good job, just like us.

     For some reason, I dont know the history, one of the ladies in our office does not like Ponciano and was rather hostile toward him. Now, that gets my dander up, and I wont let her opinions sway mine. She said he was thief, not to be trusted. I didnt think so, and he never tried anything when I was there.

     I decided that I would go out of my way to be nice to him, maybe to compensate for the other person's behavior. When he came to the office, I would greet him with a great big smile, and say, "Ponciano" in a way that it sounded like I was so excited that he was here.  I frequently shared treats with him, little hard candies and he was very appreciative. I think he was hungry.

     It was fun to see the change come over him. In the initial weeks, Ponciano came to the office looking down at the floor, not well groomed, hardly spoke to anyone, and appeared angry. He has lately changed to an eager, friendly, well groomed man who spends a little time sharing with me about his family.

     On Monday he came in again, made some phone calls, spoke to the director and manager of the office, then left. Tuesday night I got sick and didnt go to the office for the rest of the week. Jay, however, did go and did my usual assignment at the reception desk. He came home Friday with the news that Ponciano has a JOB!!!!!!!!!

     I am so happy for him.