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Why It Can Be Incredibly Important Not to Go to Work: A Look at Napoleon and the Ferryman of WeißenfelsYou know the drill: Monday morning, alarm rings, and the prospect of work is about as appealing as an evening stroll during a thunderstorm. But don’t worry— even Napoleon had his troubles with work—specifically, with a ferryman who simply didn’t show up. So, why bother going to work at all if even Napoleon failed at it? 
Little Napoleon and the Ferryman’s Big SleepOn October 16, 1813, at the height of the Battle of Nations near Leipzig, Napoleon decided it was time to cross the Saale River at Weißenfels with the remains of his exhausted army. Unfortunately, on his last visit, he had burned down the bridge. No problem, he thought—there’s the ferryman! But what did the ferryman do? Exactly, he did: nothing.Napoleon stood on the riverbank calling for the ferryman. And called. And called. But no answer. Was the ferryman in a deep sleep? Or had he simply decided today was a good day to take a break? A simple case of “I’m just staying in bed”—and who could blame him? After all, it’s not every day that a French emperor shows up at your doorstep. Maybe the ferryman was just enjoying an especially deep, cozy winter nap. Why Sometimes It’s Worth Looking the Other WayNapoleon, who wasn’t exactly fluent in German, did his best to call the ferryman—“Werman! Hüfman!”—but it got him nowhere. A lesson for us all: sometimes it’s just better not to respond. Who knows what Napoleon wanted from the ferryman? A chat about the condition of the Saale? Help crossing the river? Or worse, maybe he was about to dump a job on the poor guy’s head—who can say? Sometimes it’s just better not to open the door, not to pick up the phone—or, like the ferryman, simply not to show up.Three Defeats for Napoleon, a Day Off for the FerrymanNapoleon eventually moved on, not without stopping in Naumburg first. There he allegedly wanted to take the famous donor statues from the cathedral—but tough luck—the figures weren’t statues but supporting columns. Bad luck, Napoleon! He should have looked more carefully first.And then, two days later, Marshal Forward—whose real name was Blücher—arrived. He also wanted to cross the Saale—and lo and behold, the fishermen of Weißenfels, who had perhaps also enjoyed an extra long coffee break, suddenly laid a bridge of boats and planks over the Saale. Well, if it’s Blücher, you make an exception. But only because it was Blücher. Napoleon? He just had bad luck. The Moral Lesson: Sometimes It’s Good Not to Show UpWhat do we learn from this? There are days when you simply shouldn’t show up for work. Maybe the modern Napoleon (aka your boss) will come by, maybe not. And if he does? Just stay quiet, draw the curtains, and hope he moves on—like the ferryman of Weißenfels, who made his mark in history without lifting a finger. After all, it worked out for him!So, next time you’re wondering whether to go to work, think of Napoleon and the ferryman. Sometimes doing nothing is the best strategy—and who knows, you might just win a battle or two. Or at least enjoy a relaxed day. All the details I discuss with Reese in the video! Author: AI-Translation - Der Reese ihr Ërnst ;-) | 20.10.2024 |
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