Ole was looking for a job and heard that their was an opening for a janitor at the local Lutheran church. He applied for the job and the interview went very well. "You have the job," he was told, "just sign this paper."
Ole made a big "X" on the paper.
"What's that?" he was asked.
"That's my mark."
"You're supposed to sign your name."
"That's my mark," Ole replied, "I cannot read or write."
"What? We're sorry, to work here you have to be able to sign your name."
Well, Ole finally got himself a job as a mate on a tugboat, and eventually he became captain of his own tugboat. He did well for himself and eventually had a fleet of ships of his own and became one of the wealthiest men in the community.
One day the mayor decided to honor him for setting such a good example for other immigrants, and what they can accomplish with hard work and ingenuity. The mayor says, "Sven, we want to give you the key to the city! Just sign this form.
" Sven made a big "X" on the paper.
"What's that?" he was asked.
"That's my mark."
"Your mark?" the mayor asked.
"Aih, I cannot read or write, so that's my mark."
"You accomplished all of this not being able to read or write?" The mayor exclaimed. "Just think what you could have done if you could read and write!"
"Yes," Sven said. "I could have been a church janitor."
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