The old spring clener

The old gentleman had been hired many years earlier by a young towncouncilman to clear away the debris from the pools of water up in themountain crevices that fed the lovely spring flowing through their town.With faithful, silent regularity, he patrolled the hills, removed the leavesand branches, and wiped away the silt that would otherwise have choked andcontaminated the fresh flow of water. The village soon became a popularattraction for vacationers. Graceful swans floated along the crystal clearspring, the mill wheels of various businesses located near the water turnedday and night, farmlands were naturally irrigated, and the view fromrestaurants was picturesque beyond description.Years passed.
One evening the town council met for its semiannual meeting.As they reviewed the budget, one man's eye caught the salary figure beingpaid the obscure keeper of the spring. Said the keeper of the purse, "Who isthe old man? Why do we keep him on year after year? No one ever sees him.For all we know, the strange ranger of the hills is doing us no good. Heisn't necessary any longer." By a unanimous vote, they dispensed with theold man's services.
For several weeks, nothing changed.By early autumn, the trees began to shed their leaves. Small branchessnapped of and fell into the pools, hindering the rushing flow of sparklingwater. One afternoon someone noticed a slight yellowish-brown tint in thespring. A few days later, the water was much darker. Within another week, aslimy film covered sections of the water along the banks, and a foul odorwas soon detected. The mill wheels moved more slowly, some finally ground toa halt. Swans left, as did the tourists. Clammy fingers of disease andsickness reached deeply into the village.
Quickly, the embarrassed council called a special meeting. Realizing theirgross error in judgment, they rehired the old keeper of the spring, andwithin a few weeks, the veritable river of life began to clear up. Thewheels started to turn, and new life returned to the hamlet in the Alps .
Never become discouraged with the seeming smallness of your task, job, orlife. Cling fast to the words of Edward Everett Hale: "I am only one, butstill I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; andbecause I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something I can do." The key to accomplishment is believing that what you can do will make adifference.