Frick vs. Frack
___________________
The nick-names Frick and Frack originate from a famous 1930’s
comedic ice skating couple from Switzerland
Perhaps in an attempt to demonstrate
the long-term value of a good education (and patience), my father borrowed
these names and wrote a very short story about twin brothers Frick and
Frack. As you would expect, their
childhood and adolescent years were very similar. However, when it came time for college, they
chose very different paths, and the long-term ramifications are evident.
Before you read the story
and accuse it of being too stereotypical, consider there are exceptions to any
rule. I have personally met many
successful people who never set foot in an educational institution after
graduating high school. Conversely, I
have met some who have struggled mightily throughout life, despite numerous
educational achievements.
However, I inherited my
father’s firm belief in education.
Though it took him a long while and many attempts to earn his Bachelors
degree, he made up for it by earning his PhD in Instructional Design in record
time. He was the first college graduate
in his entire family line, and there has already been many in the family who
have followed, or are currently following, in his footsteps. I am grateful for the example he set for me
and my 8 siblings. I remember asking him
for guidance when I was trying to decide if I should enroll in a post-graduate
program after receiving my Bachelors’ Degree. His response
was simple – “you can never go wrong with education”. I enrolled!
 |
| Dwight & Linda Laws, and their 9 children (taken in 2004) |
Please allow me to share his
story of Frick and Frack.
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FRICK & FRACK
By Dwight Laws
In the small town of Averageville were two twin brothers, Frick and
Frack. As preschoolers they were inseparable and amused themselves endlessly
exploring the neighborhood and surrounding forests of the county. Often it
seemed that they only came home for food and to sleep. The citizens of
Averageville viewed the two boys just like any other boys. They were average.
In elementary school they were reasonably good students, courteous,
bright, but often distracted. They were so average that no special attention
came their way.
When they went to middle school they continued to pass all of their
classes with a straight “C” average. On the school teams they were neither the
stars nor the bench sitters—just average.
In high school they participated in a few extracurricular activities but
were not standouts. They were accepted but not praised nor ridiculed, just
average. Again they achieved straight “C” grades. Finally they graduated high
school and both enrolled in a small community college in the next town of Normalville
After they had completed their first year of school Frick enrolled in
classes for the next year, but Frack decided not to enroll.
“I’m tired of being average and normal,” he said. “I’m not signing up for
another class! Tomorrow I’m going out to get a job and make some money.”
Frack got a job and started to work.
Frick patiently went to his classes.
Soon Frack had enough money from his job and bought a car. “Hey Frick, want to drive up to Canada with
me for a couples of days?”
“Can’t, I’ve got classes.”
“Suit yourself.”
Frack went to Canada. Frick
patiently went to his classes.
Frack dated a lot. “Hey Frick,
want to go out Friday night? I’ve got this cool blind date for you.’”
“Can’t, I’ve got to study for classes.”
“Suit yourself.”
Frack went on a fun date. Frick
went to his classes.
Frack called Frick. “Hey Frick, a bunch of us are going to the beach for
three days. Want to come? It will be a
blast.”
“Can’t, I’ve got classes.”
“Suit yourself.”
Frack went to the beach. Frick
went to his classes.
And so it went. Frick would go to his classes and Frack would have fun.
For three more years Frick patiently went to classes and Frack had a blast.
One day a man came to town representing a large successful corporation.
He hired Frick and gave him a wonderful salary. Frick bought a new house and
two sports cars. He called Frack.
“Hey Frack, want to take a three day trip with me in my new sports car?”
“Can’t, I’ve got to keep working. I’ve got bills to pay.”
“Suit yourself.”
Frick went to Canada. Frack went
to work.
Frick dated a lot.
“Hey Frack, want to go out Friday night? I’ve got this cool blind date
for you.”
“Can’t, I’ve got to go to work. I’ve got bills to pay.”
“Suit yourself.”
Frick went on a fun date. Frack
went to work.
Frick called Frack. “Hey Frack, a bunch of us are going to the beach for
three days. Want to come? It will be a blast.”
“Can’t, I’ve got to work. I’ve got bills to pay.”
“Suit yourself.”
Frick went to the beach. Frack
went to work.
And so it went for the rest of their lives. Frack had to work constantly
and Frick got lots of vacation time.
Frick and Frack.
Frick and Frack.
Frick was patient.
Frack was slack.
Frick moved forward.
Frack slid back.
Frick and Frack.
Frick and Frack.
Frick was patient.
Frack was not.
Frick got rich.
Frack got squat.
Frick and Frack.
Frick and Frack.
Frick was patient.
Frack a hack.
Happy Frick.
Poor ‘ol Frack.
___________________________________________________
R. Dru Laws is Vice President of Seljan Company in Lake Mills Wisconsin, the Chair of the ARM (Association of Rotational Molding) Education Committee, a member of the ARM Board of Directors, and a global contributing editor to RotoWorld Magazine. Dru has a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Brigham Young University, and an MSc in Polymer Engineering from the Queens University of Belfast.
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