Trying to work hard

The final-year pupils of St James' Institution were off to do work experience at local firms. ‘This is not a holiday!’ said the head teacher. ‘The employers have been asked to keep your noses to the grindstone.

They’ll let me know if any of you are not pulling your weight. This is an ideal opportunity to try out some jobs before you decide on a career,’ ‘I can’t believe they’re making us work for nothing,’ grumbled Jason. ‘I thought they would pay us peanuts, but they’re not even doing that.’

‘Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth, Jason,’ said the teacher.

It’s generous of people to let you into their workplaces.’ ‘I pity the employer who gets Jason,’ whispered Rena. ‘He’ll not do a stroke all the time he’s there.’ ‘Can you believe he’s going to work in the local bank?’ asked Tim. ‘He’s very poor at maths.

He’ll play havoc with the customers’ accounts.’ ‘That’s because his father’s a banker and he was able to pull strings,’ replied Sheila, ‘but it’s not so bad as Meg working in the hotel restaurant. She can’t even boil an egg.

I’m telling my parents to give the place a wide berth while she’s there!’ ‘What are you doing, Sheila?’ asked Len. ‘I’m helping the local doctor’s receptionist. It’s a very busy practice and so it’s not going to be a bed of roses.’ None of the pupils seemed particularly enthusiastic about the idea of work experience.