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
At Large - One Temper
In "At Large - One Temper," a turbulent individual is on trial for assault with intent to commit murder after wreaking havoc in town. The defendant's Attorney attempts to lighten the proceedings by asking the Judge if he has ever lost his temper, resulting in a fine for contempt of court, to which the Attorney humorously replies that perhaps his client has found the Judge's lost temper. This short story offers a meaningful exploration of anger and accountability, reminiscent of famous fables with moral lessons.
The Two Travelers and the Axe
In this short story with a moral, two men traveling together find an axe, and one claims it as his own. When the rightful owner pursues them, the other traveler reminds him to take responsibility for his earlier claim, illustrating that those who share in the gain must also share in the consequences. This short and sweet moral story emphasizes the importance of accountability in both fortune and misfortune.
The Reform School Board
In Doosnoswair, the School Board faced allegations of misconduct in the appointment of female teachers, leading the community to elect an all-female Board. Over time, the scandal faded, resulting in a notable absence of female teachers in the Department, highlighting the themes often found in short moral stories with pictures. This tale serves as a small moral story, illustrating the complexities of decisions made within educational institutions and their long-term consequences.
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.