Woodsterman’s Whimsical Labor Day ~ by Skip

 In the late 19th century, in the lively town of Timberville, there lived a character named Woodsterman. Now, Woodsterman wasn’t his real name—his birth certificate read “Walter Woodson”—but he earned the moniker through his impressive array of wooden creations. From whirligigs to self-tuning violins (which mostly played random notes), Woodsterman was known for his inventive yet delightfully impractical woodworking.

One crisp September day, Woodsterman was hunched over his latest creation: a mechanical bird that could chirp "Take a Break" on command. His neighbor, a grumpy factory worker named Tom, stopped by to complain about the endless grind at the mill.

“Woodsterman,” Tom grumbled, “we work our fingers to the bone and get no thanks for it. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a day where we could just kick back and relax?”

Woodsterman, who was busy trying to adjust the bird’s wings (which had a tendency to flap wildly), looked up with a mischievous glint in his eye. “Tom, you’ve just given me an idea. We need a holiday—a day where folks can rest, eat, and enjoy themselves. I’ll call it… hmm… Labor Day!”

Tom, baffled but intrigued, watched as Woodsterman scurried off to organize what he called the “Great Labor Fest.” Unbeknownst to Tom, Woodsterman had a flair for the dramatic and a penchant for over-the-top celebrations.

Woodsterman’s “Labor Day” planning involved a series of elaborate but rather misguided ideas. His first plan was to create a giant wooden statue of a worker taking a nap, complete with a pillow and blanket. Unfortunately, it looked more like a confused lumberjack in mid-sneeze.

Next, Woodsterman set up a parade featuring floats made entirely of wood. His parade included a float with a huge wooden clock, complete with moving hands that had a curious habit of spinning wildly at unpredictable times. Another float was a giant wooden chicken, which was supposed to symbolize "hard work pays off," but instead clucked loudly whenever someone got near.

On the day of the first Labor Day, the townsfolk gathered to see what Woodsterman had in store. The parade began with great fanfare, as the wooden clock float chimed in every hour, causing everyone to jump in surprise. The wooden chicken, meanwhile, had developed a bit of a personality and started chasing after the children, who squealed and ran in circles.

But the real highlight of the day was Woodsterman’s “Rest and Relaxation” booth, which consisted of a large, cushioned wooden bench with a built-in wooden footrest. The bench, however, was prone to sudden collapses, causing anyone who sat on it to find themselves momentarily buried in a pile of cushioning and laughter.

Despite the comical mishaps, the day was a roaring success. People enjoyed the whimsical parade, the chaos of the wooden chicken, and the overall lighthearted atmosphere. By the end of the day, the townsfolk were convinced that Woodsterman had invented something truly unique: a day dedicated to enjoying life and celebrating their hard work with a healthy dose of laughter.

Word of Timberville’s quirky holiday spread, and soon, other towns began adopting the idea. It didn’t take long for Labor Day to become a national tradition. Woodsterman, with his bizarre yet charming approach to holiday-making, had unintentionally created a day that celebrated the laborer’s hard work and gave them a chance to unwind and enjoy themselves.

As for Woodsterman, he continued crafting his whimsical creations. His workshop became a local attraction, and every Labor Day, the townsfolk would gather to honor the holiday with a parade, a giant wooden chicken, and, of course, a rickety bench or two. And so, Labor Day became more than just a day off—it became a celebration of both hard work and the joy of a little bit of whimsical madness.

Skip, thanks but you've given all my secrets away.