John Henry Part 3

At the sound of the day’s whistle, the outcome was already known but the length of measure confirmed it. John Henry had drilled 14’ to the steam drill’s 9. Man had apparently won. The crowd cheered and the celebration began. Then all of sudden, not five minutes from winning, John Henry dropped dead.

Some say it was exhaustion. Others say it was the blood vessels done burst in his brain. Yet others say God took him because after that display, there was nothing left for a man to prove in this life! Whatever the case, the mighty John Henry was dead.

The salesman, being a quick thinking type, immediately pointed out that his machine was still ready to go. “Man may have won today, but I’ll win tomorrow!” he claimed. Everyone knew there was no other to challenge the steam drill the next day.

John Henry was quickly buried along the hundred others in a shallow, sandy grave outside the would-be tunnel. Some thought never to be spoke of again; forgotten like all the others.

Tragedy? Maybe. John won the contest only to loose his life and the steam drill eventually displaced all the other hammersmons. Bu many a hero and legend are not recognized until they move on from us. John Henry was about the individual. He possessed the raw strength that no system could take away form him.

How would you respond? When faced with a challenge, John Henry did not shrink away. When tackling a challenge, John Henry gave it his all. In this day when we, as individuals, are constantly being challenged by faster machines, corporate price saving policies and plans, how will you make your stand? How much are you willing to put on the line and also say “I am here and will not be easily dismissed.”

John Henry did not go quietly into the night, John Henry instead said, “You cannot defeat me, you may outlive me, but you won’t ever defeat me.” And they didn’t and that’s the stuff from which legends are made!