Read the Instructions!

9 Read the Instructions! My older brother and I once decided to work during the summer planting trees. It was good pay and the work seemed interesting. We were both young. And we thought, “ How hard could it be to plant little saplings all day? It would be great to be in the sun and get some fresh air. " Little did we know. . . When we arrived for our first day of work, the man in charge took a long look at us and said, “ Did you boys read the instruction you got about how to dress?" We had not really taken the time to read the instructions carefully. " Well boys, you're wearing T-shirts. Do you know who loves T-shirts?" he asked. " Not really, " we answered. “ Mosquitoes! " he replied with a smile. " But you won't even feel the mosquitoes. Do you know why?" “ Why?" we asked.

“ You'll be so busy getting bitten by blackflies that you won't even notice the mosquitoes! " He laughed as he walked away. We looked around and saw that the other workers were wearing long shirts and hats. A couple of the other workers came over to us and said, " Here, take these extra shirts. " A couple of others gave us hats with mesh covers, but we still didn't have long pants to protect our legs from the biting insects. We rode in a truck to the side of a mountain. And within ten seconds of opening the door of the truck, I heard a buzzing sound. It was the sound of blackflies. They had a really nasty bite! Soon, we were swatting flies every few seconds. It was the worst day of my entire life. When we got home that night, my legs were covered in big red bites. My brother's legs were too. We went back fully covered the next day and did not get bitten once. Now, when I hear the buzz of a blackfly, I think of that terrible day. It reminds me of the great lesson I learned that day-always read the instructions!