The Conscientious Official
Story Summary
In "The Conscientious Official," a misguided railway Division Superintendent, while tampering with tracks, learns of his impending dismissal for incompetency. He argues that although there are many accidents on his division, they inflict less damage to the company's property than potential alternatives, revealing a twisted sense of duty. This life-changing story serves as a fable with moral lessons about responsibility and the consequences of misguided actions.
Click to reveal the moral of the story
The story highlights the absurdity of prioritizing corporate interests over human safety, emphasizing that true competence should be measured by the well-being of individuals rather than mere financial loss.
Historical Context
This story reflects themes of corruption and negligence within the railway industry during the late 19th to early 20th century, a period marked by rapid industrialization and often lax safety standards. It echoes elements found in satirical literature, such as Mark Twain's "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County," which critiques human folly and corporate greed. The narrative likely draws from real incidents of railway mismanagement and public outrage, illustrating the tension between profit motives and human safety in a burgeoning industrial society.
Our Editors Opinion
This story highlights the absurdity of prioritizing profit and efficiency over human safety, a relevant issue in modern life, particularly in industries like transportation, healthcare, and manufacturing. For instance, a contemporary scenario could involve a factory manager who, under pressure to cut costs, ignores safety protocols, leading to a serious workplace accident—demonstrating that neglecting ethical responsibilities for financial gain can have catastrophic consequences.
You May Also Like
The Fox and the Bramble
In "The Fox and the Bramble," a fox climbs a hedge but falls and grabs a bramble for support, only to be pricked and hurt. Accusing the bramble of being more harmful than the hedge, he learns that he should have expected pain from something that also causes it to others. This wisdom-packed moral story illustrates how selfish individuals often encounter selfishness in others, a common theme in well-known moral stories.
The Patriot and the Banker
In "The Patriot and the Banker," a former politician, having grown rich from questionable gains, tries to open a bank account but is confronted by an Honest Banker who insists he must repay the money he stole from the government first. Realizing the bank's share of the loss is minimal, the Patriot deposits just a dollar, humorously illustrating the lessons learned from stories about accountability and the often feeble attempts at restitution by those who prioritize wealth over integrity. This funny story with a moral serves as a big moral tale, teaching valuable lessons that can resonate with kids and adults alike.
The Dog and His Reflection
In the thought-provoking moral story "The Dog and His Reflection," a State Official, while stealing the Dome of the Capitol, encounters the ghost of his predecessor at midnight, who warns him that God is watching. As they converse, another State Official quietly seizes the opportunity to add the dome to his own collection, illustrating the themes of greed and moral consequence found in many well-known moral stories. This short moral tale serves as a reminder of the unseen consequences of one's actions.
Related Collections
Other names for this story
"Railway Reckoning, Official Dilemma, The Obstruction Paradox, Switches of Fate, The Incompetent Superintendent, Life on the Line, The Safety Saboteur, Perilous Priorities"
Did You Know?
This story highlights the darkly humorous theme of bureaucratic absurdity, where a railway official is more concerned with the company's financial losses and his job security than the actual safety and lives of passengers, reflecting a critique of prioritizing profits over human life.
Subscribe to Daily Stories
Get a new moral story in your inbox every day.