- I'm gaping! You have no idea what you just undid.
- What?
- You just proved to yourself that you are able to take care of the farm alone.
- I'm not sure I'm fully prepared.
- I'm sure of it. That is why I love the adversities that life brings us, as a phrase from Horácio says: "adversity awakens in us abilities that, in favorable circumstances, would have been asleep. You were born with this gift, however you never needed it. Now that you want to use it, it has surfaced.
Ann asked me to be alone, I wanted to think about everything again that I was doing. Everything was following the course of what she had planned. When evening came, she and Otto were at home, having breakfast in the afternoon when she asked:
- My son, you are about to turn 15 years old. I ask you and I want an answer from the bottom of your heart: what are you missing?
- Honestly mom, I have everything that a man could aspire to in his whole life.
- That's the problem, you're not a man.
- Of course I am, mom.
- You are a boy, training to be a man. He is no longer a little boy, but he is not yet a trained man. I asked you this question and I want you to answer me as a boy.
- I didn't stop to think about such a thing. How about new shoes?
- I think you deserve new and different clothes, a uniform.
- I'm not going to the army, it's no use.
- You don't have to go, but you need to go to school, you need a diploma.
- For what? Do I know how to read, write and do math?
- You learn more than that at school.
- What I don't know, I'm learning.
- Do you remember the lessons I gave you?
- Yes. Why?
- Remember Napoleon Bonaparte?
- Sure, he's an idol of mine!
- Remember his maxims?
- Some.
- Remember then: "capacity is of little use without the opportunity!" You have the capacity, but without a diploma, you will not have the opportunity.
- You are managing to dissuade me from the idea of staying on the farm.
- You need to think, but remember that I only want the best for you.
- I know that, I love you, mom.
- I need to confide in you a secret.
- Which one?
- I made an enrollment for you at the Goethe Institut Schuler and within two months you have to be there in the capital, if you want to go to study. Think about what you want for your future.
- I will think with affection.
- Think yes, and remember that intelligence, which is what you have in abundance, is the speed of learning. This is different from skill, which is the ability to apply what you learn wisely. There is a very big problem with intelligence, is that sometimes, it is drowned by the voice of fear, ignored by the voice of desire, opposed by the voice of shame, booed by the voice of hatred and erased by the voice of anger. Mostly, it is silenced by ignorance.
Otto did not know what to say, he was speechless and in his head, a whirlwind of ideas debated among themselves. While doing everything to improve the lives of all those people who lived on his farm and worked with him, he had forgotten himself, forgot that outside that gate there was a world, a world that needed him. His mother was right, and he knew it, but going to school meant leaving behind everything he had built since his father left. Curiosity ate at his soul, he wanted to know what the world was like out there, what was there that he didn't know yet? At dinner, they talked again:
- Mother, I believe you planted the seed of curiosity within me.
- That you always had inside you, I think that is the Heisenbergs' natural characteristic.
- If I decide to go to study, who will take care of the farm?
- Why do you think I started running the farm?
- So, since you started learning farm management, did you already have the idea of sending me to study?
- Of course I do.
- This week I'm going to be alone in the legwork, you take over the management and, on Sunday, we talked again about this matter. Is that good?
- No. I know you and I know you won't leave me alone. This week you are staying at your uncle's farm, he is in need of help and I know you are capable. Prepare a case with some things.
- But someone has to talk to him and I'll go.
- He's already waiting for you.
Otto was astonished that his mother was obstinate in making him study. At that moment, fear was eating at him, he couldn't think of leaving his mother alone, he always wanted to be by her side. What if something bad happened? Who would help her? He wanted to be there.
The week started and he had to leave the farm and his mother. It hurt his chest, it was his home and his family. His mother was fine, he was showing his son a path he had to take. He coordinated all the work without any problems. Otto had more difficulties than she, because he was rooted in the customs of his daily life. On his uncle's farm, there was a very important task for him. When he got there, his uncle was already waiting:
- My nephew, your mother sent me a letter.
- How are you, my uncle Göthe?
- Very well. Lets go in.
They talked for a while and exchanged information about their productions. Otto's uncle was his father's brother and his name was Göthe. His farm produced sugar beet to make sugar, an innovation he had just invented. After they talked about the production of their products, liquidity, index and everything else , Göthe told Otto what task he had for him:
- I started this job with beets three years ago, and quadrupled my fortune. I found out about his progress and started doing the same, built better houses, decent housing for everyone, improved my pay. I spent a lot on them and even then, my profit just went up.
- That's what happens when you think about others.
- I was inspired by you.
- I'm flattered.
- Well, I bought the farm next to mine. The day I bought it and attached it to mine, the foreman said to me, "All of our employees are good, competent and happy." When I walked the land, I saw a man who worked in silence, did not talk, did not laugh, did not fit in with the others. I asked about him and another guy told me that he only knew his name, worked well, but did not talk and had worked there for over 30 years. I don't know what to do, that's the first question I need your help with.
Otto spent that morning thinking about what to do. He decided to go to those parts of the farm to see what the man was like. When he got there he checked with his eyes what his mind had already seen: "a man working hard and in silence." He came close and asked:
- Good morning?
- Good day.
- What do you call them?
The man was embarrassed.
- Caladão, but my name is Zuma.
- Have you been working here for a long time?
- 40 years.
- I was told 30. Is that the reason you work so well?
He really stood out in front of the others, he was agile, skillful and although he looked 60 years old, he was very strong. As soon as Otto had finished saying those words, the other men saw Zuma do what he had never done; He smiled. The other day, Otto went back there, worked with them and asked:
- Hey Zuma, can you teach me a little bit about what you do?
That man smiled again. He picked up his tools and taught Otto their names. Within minutes, they were talking about family, friends, affinities. On the third day, Otto took Göthe there, when they arrived they were drinking coffee and the silent man was telling a joke:
- The man left the house to hunt a jaguar, when he got there at the top of the pasture he saw that fagot resting on the trunk of a tree. He shouted like this: "Muié, bring the shotgun so I can kill the beast!" She shouted back: "the shotgun on your back there, scared!" The man was terrified. When he saw that the jaguar had seen him, he didn't even think about a shotgun or anything, he ran out of there running, and to cut a path, he passed inside a pumpkin patch, screaming like a madman, stepping on everything he saw in front of him, even pumpkin. A huge pumpkin came rolling after him, and from the noise he thought it was the jaguar. He entwined his feet in the branches of the pumpkin, fell and that pumpkin that came after him shattered on his back and he shouted: "You can even bite me, animal devil, but you will bite a macho man!"
Everyone laughed with great euphoria. Göthe entered the conversation, joked with them and when they were coming home, he asked Otto:
- What did you do?
- I used the words. He needed words of friendship, words of affection.
- Does he change because of your words?
- Do you believe that he has been working on that farm for forty years and no one has ever praised the good work he does? Nobody even knew his name?
- I didn't know. And why didn't he get close?
- His name is Zuma, don't forget. He came from South Africa when he was 10, his parents died when they arrived at the farm, and to help he did not speak German. So I couldn't speak to the others. The other people weren't going to talk to him and it became a custom, he learned our language on his own! Isn't it cheap?
- Incredible!
They talked there for a while, until Göthe gave him another task. He asked:
- How do you pay your employees' pay?
- I pay everyone the same. It is wiser.
- Here I pay according to function. Those who work in the most dangerous jobs receive more than those who work in the most basic jobs, but receive less than those who need technical training. Whoever wins the most is who manages the farm, there are two people, the first is Weber, who is 45 years old and has worked with us for 20 years. A few months ago, I noticed a friction between them, and I don't know how to resolve it. Do you think you can do it?
- I think so.
Otto thought about that question for several hours. He read many books that talked about human psychology, and learned from them that the human mind was very complicated. Despite everything, he was going to try to resolve that issue. First he called Weber:
- Nice to meet you, Weber. It's a beautiful day, isn't it?
- I didn't notice.
- We are sunny.
- It doesn't matter. You know, these last few days, I'm not in my best days. These last few months I have had to work with a boy, who is not even older than my grandson. On top of that, he earns more than me. It's absurd, don't you think?
- It's a little difficult to understand. Can I ask you a favor?
- Of course, it's always like that, whenever they need something, they call me.
- Here on the farm next door, they sell pork, I want you to go there and see the price, let's have a celebration here for everyone. Okay?
- Okay.
As Weber went to the neighboring farm, Otto called Joseph to talk:
- What a beautiful day, isn't it?
- Beautiful day, we have 8 degrees and it looks like we won't have rain today.
- We have sunshine.
- Take it, but it's very pleasant.
- How has your last days been?
- It has been the best day of my life, because I have the possibility to change and put into practice everything that I was taught at the University. I am 23 years old and I learned a lot at the University, really, it was one of the best periods of my life.
- How much time did you spend there?
- Six years.
- My mother wants to send me to the Goethe Institut Schuler, back in the capital.
- Dude, if you did everything they say around here, go, I can't even imagine what you can do with a diploma in hand.
- I have a mission for you, when Weber arrives, I want you to go to the neighboring farm and have a look at the pork they sell. We will have a celebration here and learn that they create to sell.
- Yes, I will.
Otto and Joseph talked for a few more minutes, he wanted to know what it was like to spend six years studying at an institution, everything he could learn, everything he still had to know. After Joseph left, he was still thinking about the idea of going to university, it was very new for him, Joseph showed a new side that he did not know. A short time passed and Weber arrived. He warned:
- They have pork, yes, the price is 9 marks per kilo of clean meat.
- Is that all?
- That's what you asked me for.
- Sit down, please. How did you get there?
- I went on a bicycle, I like to ride a bicycle and after I bought new Dunloop tires I didn't ride anymore.
Otto said a few things and so did Weber. Very few minutes passed before Joseph arrived. Otto asked:
- Joseph, how did you go so fast?
- Our farm is equipped with a motorcycle, it is a means of fast locomotion.
- Well, and what did you find there?
- The farm is very interesting, they raise pigs, 9 marks per kilo of clean meat, 10 marks and 50 pfennig per kilo of the standing pig, which is more worthwhile, since we can use it all to make chorizo, feijoada , mocotó and sausage. They also have fresh fruits, bananas and apples that they have for immediate delivery, but if we ask in advance, they can provide pears, peaches and pineapples.
- Okay. Thank you Joseph, you can go.
As soon as Joseph left, Otto asked Weber:
- Now do you understand why he earns more than you?
- How could he do that?
- He has a new background. He can think in a less traditional way.
- You don't need me around here anymore.
- I don't need to, because I don't own this farm. But my uncle Göthe needs it, Joseph needs you, just as you need him. I think the two have points to teach each other. It is enough that one accepts to listen to each other, to know that both can learn and teach.
- Thank you. I will try.
The days that passed were very interesting for both of them. Joseph and Weber talked and exchanged ideas. The two were extreme to each other: Joseph meant modernity and Weber the tradition. One is the old and the other the new, but neither was disposable. Otto managed to make the two understand each other and exchange their point of view.
At lunch on Saturday, when Otto was getting ready to return to his farm, Göthe congratulated him:
- I just have to thank you. You solved issues that, in principle, I thought unsolved, and after they are solved, look like child's problems.
- Elementary. All problems have a solution, otherwise, they would not be problems.
- And why don't many people think so? Why can't they solve the issues of everyday life?
- I don't know. Sometimes it seems that people prefer the world on the wrong side of the telescope.
- It's an interesting analogy. How do you explain your gift to people?
- My mother taught me to read when I was very young, and from an early age I felt the need to read about people.
- Human beings are difficult. Today, when I stopped by the office, I heard Weber calling Joseph to see his coin collection, and Joseph was very interested, as he also collects. And although they had worked together for three years, neither of them knew about this common taste for numismatics.
After lunch, Otto packed up and went home. He was anxious to see how his mother had fared. Before he left the farm, Göthe said:
- Congratulations. You were very important to this farm. My dear, my sister said that you should go to university soon. Yes, go ahead. It will be good for you as well as for anyone who crosses your path. You emanate a light, a wisdom. I know that you can help many people, you just need to dedicate yourself to study, you have a bright future ahead of you.
- You talking like that, I felt myself listening to my father.
- Maybe he would also think like me, wouldn't he?
- You're right! My thanks, for everything.
Otto returned home. Just a week away from there, and his heart could hardly bear to miss his mother and his home and his friends. His mother was waiting for him on the porch, and when he arrived, he gave her a hug so tight it almost choked her. She said:
- You are very strong, my friend!
- Thank you very much! As we are?
- I think well.
- And the farm? Some problem?
- I closed some contracts. No problem, only solutions.
He was very happy. Seeing his mother performing professionally was all he needed at that moment. Despite being very tired and needing to go to bed, he preferred to stay there, talking to his mother, seeing how she was excited to talk about the statistics that had increased on the farm. Seeing her there, talking about her achievements, he thought about how she had changed, there was a gleam in her eyes, a new happiness, a joy in life.
- Mom, I'm very happy for you.
- Me too, my son. You know, a few months ago, I found myself very sad, without a purpose, a perspective on life. Not now, now I have more joy, more desire to live.
- I heard a phrase that says: "We can't go back to make a new beginning, but we can all start now and make a new end. Mom, you started again without having to go back, congratulations.
- And you?
- I what? Worked hard.
- Did you think of the things I said to you?
- I thought. But I haven't made up my mind yet.
The days passed, the weeks ended, and in a short time the day came when Otto would have to make up his mind. He postponed a lot, but he knew that the hour would come and he would have to leave. It might even sound a little strange, to leave his own home however, he saw his mother spending the last year struggling to learn all the tricks and secrets on the farm so that she would be able to replace him. As he knew his mother very well, he knew that she would not go through all that effort for nothing and she was going to pressure him to leave.