--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Farmer Ben called about an oak table…" description: "\"“Farmer Ben called about an oak table Papa’s repairing for him. They got to talking, and Ben told Papa that the farm has run into hard times. He had to..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d61/stan-berenstain-28311_christmas-gift_farmer-ben-called-about-an-oak-table-pap_795283.jpg" --- # Farmer Ben called about an oak table Papa’s repairing for… ![“Farmer Ben called about an oak table Papa’s repairing for him. They got to talking, and Ben told Papa that the farm has run into hard times. He had to fire his full-time farm hand. And now a lot of chores aren’t getting done. So Papa asked him if he would hire us to do them. And he said yes!”…” quote by Stan Berenstain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d61/stan-berenstain-28311_christmas-gift_farmer-ben-called-about-an-oak-table-pap_795283.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d61/stan-berenstain-28311_christmas-gift_farmer-ben-called-about-an-oak-table-pap_795283.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d61/stan-berenstain-28311_christmas-gift_farmer-ben-called-about-an-oak-table-pap_795283.jpg) > ““Farmer Ben called about an oak table Papa’s repairing for him. They got to talking, and Ben told Papa that the farm has run into hard times. He had to fire his full-time farm hand. And now a lot of chores aren’t getting done. So Papa asked him if he would hire us to do them. And he said yes!” “Super!” cried Babs. “Outta sight!” said Queenie. “How much is he gonna pay us?” asked Lizzy. “Not much,” said Brother. “Just chicken feed.” “ Chicken feed? ” gasped Barry. “We can’t pay for Christmas gifts with chicken feed! We’ll get kicked out of every store!” “It’s just an expression,” said Fred. “It means ‘money, but not a lot.’” “I knew that,” said Barry, blushing.”” [Stan Berenstain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stan-berenstain/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A family discusses low wages, highlighting how modest pay can cause frustration and humor in everyday work. **In simple terms:** Low pay can cause tension and jokes. Key Takeaway Recognize and address fair compensation. Themes family work money communication humor Mood lighthearted reflective Type anecdotal conversational When to use this quote - parenting - small business - community support - budgeting - negotiation Key Concepts economics social dynamics language Questions to Reflect On - How do you discuss pay expectations? - What are fair wages for casual work? A Different Perspective Low wages may still be acceptable if expectations are clear. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Christmas gift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christmas-gift/) [Christmas Gifts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christmas-gifts/) [Hard time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hard-time/) [Hard times](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hard-times/) ## Related quotes > [My parents never told me about Papa's lung cancer or the desperate nature of the operations he was about to undergo, which were a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beverly-sills/my-parents-never-told-me-about-papa-s-lung-cancer-or-the-desperate/) [Beverly Sills](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beverly-sills/) > [She told Papa about it. He made her stick out her tongue and he felt her wrist. He shook his head sadly and said,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betty-smith/she-told-papa-about-it-he-made-her-stick-out-her-tongue-and-he-felt/) [Betty Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betty-smith/) > [“I told Papa of whole cities under water, streets filled with drifting seaweed and glittering fish”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mette-jakobsen/i-told-papa-of-whole-cities-under-water-streets-filled-with-drifting/) [Mette Jakobsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mette-jakobsen/) > [“There was one time when Papa asked him, 'Bunso, why do you love me?' We were surprised when he answered, 'I love you because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-joyce-s-valdez/there-was-one-time-when-papa-asked-him-bunso-why-do-you-love-me-we/) Sharon Joyce S. Valdez > [“She had seen other children go away, and had heard their fathers and mothers talk about the letters they received from them. She had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-hodgson-burnett/she-had-seen-other-children-go-away-and-had-heard-their-fathers-and/) [Frances Hodgson Burnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-hodgson-burnett/) > [“Son, that's a pretty hard question to answer. But I do believe that any wish you make can come true if you help the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilson-rawls/son-that-s-a-pretty-hard-question-to-answer-but-i-do-believe-that-any/) [Wilson Rawls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilson-rawls/) > [“Was that a bad lady, Papa?" she asked eagerly. No." But she looked bad." There are very few bad people. There are just a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betty-smith/was-that-a-bad-lady-papa-she-asked-eagerly-no-but-she-looked-bad/) [Betty Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betty-smith/) > [Papa, do you like my new friend?" Frances Catherine asked when they were halfway across the field. "I surely do." "Can I keep her?"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-garwood/papa-do-you-like-my-new-friend-frances-catherine-asked-when-they-were/) [Julie Garwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-garwood/) > [It's my new single - please buy it so we can get Christmas gifts for the kids this year.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stevie-wonder/it-s-my-new-single-please-buy-it-so-we-can-get-christmas-gifts-for/) [Stevie Wonder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stevie-wonder/) > [They don't even acknowledge the true meaning of Christmas. Its all about gifts and sales.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/they-don-t-even-acknowledge-the-true-meaning-of-christmas-its-all/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“A Lake Charles-based artist, Sally was a progressive Democrat who in 2016 primary favored Bernie Sanders. Sally's very dear friend and worl-traveling flight attendant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arlie-russell-hochschild/a-lake-charles-based-artist-sally-was-a-progressive-democrat-who-in/) [Arlie Russell Hochschild](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arlie-russell-hochschild/) > [Not listening is probably the commonest unkindness of married life, and one that creates - more devastatingly than an eternity of forgotten birthdays and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-viorst/not-listening-is-probably-the-commonest-unkindness-of-married-life/) [Judith Viorst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-viorst/) > [The great majority of people will go on observing forms that cannot be explained; they will keep Christmas Day with Christmas gifts and Christmas…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-great-majority-of-people-will-go-on-observing-forms-that-cannot/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I've got more than 600 pairs of Ray-Ban sunglasses, from 1950s originals to newer models. I have them on the wall like opticians do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzi-quatro/i-ve-got-more-than-600-pairs-of-ray-ban-sunglasses-from-1950s/) [Suzi Quatro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzi-quatro/) > [And when we give each other Christmas gifts in His name, let us remember that He has given us the sun and the moon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sigrid-undset/and-when-we-give-each-other-christmas-gifts-in-his-name-let-us/) [Sigrid Undset](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sigrid-undset/) ## More by Stan Berenstain > [“you can do against Milton.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stan-berenstain/you-can-do-against-milton/) [Stan Berenstain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stan-berenstain/) > [“Well, what you do with your farm is none of my business,” said Hooper. “It darn sure isn’t!” yelled Ben. “Because your business is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stan-berenstain/well-what-you-do-with-your-farm-is-none-of-my-business-said-hooper-it/) [Stan Berenstain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stan-berenstain/) > [“Ever seen a cow milked by hand in the movies?” he asked. “Certainly,” said Ferdy. “Then I guess you know all you need to,”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stan-berenstain/ever-seen-a-cow-milked-by-hand-in-the-movies-he-asked-certainly-said/) [Stan Berenstain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stan-berenstain/) > [“Who’s that? ” she asked Farmer Ben. Ben gave one look and muttered, “Uh-oh. It’s Ed Hooper. I’m almost afraid to ask him what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stan-berenstain/who-s-that-she-asked-farmer-ben-ben-gave-one-look-and-muttered-uh-oh/) [Stan Berenstain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stan-berenstain/) > [“In his three-piece suit and expensive hat, Hooper came stepping across the pasture, being very careful to avoid the cow pies. When he reached…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stan-berenstain/in-his-three-piece-suit-and-expensive-hat-hooper-came-stepping-across/) [Stan Berenstain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stan-berenstain/) > [“But there were some things they didn’t agree on.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stan-berenstain/but-there-were-some-things-they-didn-t-agree-on/) [Stan Berenstain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stan-berenstain/) > [“Of course, we respect your decision, Farmer Ben,” he said. “I’d like to make one last request, if I may. Would you allow us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stan-berenstain/of-course-we-respect-your-decision-farmer-ben-he-said-i-d-like-to/) [Stan Berenstain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stan-berenstain/) > [“There’s one thing about all this I just don’t understand,” he said. “Ed Hooper could have run Farmer Ben’s Market out of business by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stan-berenstain/there-s-one-thing-about-all-this-i-just-don-t-understand-he-said-ed/) [Stan Berenstain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stan-berenstain/) > [“Ferdy, you’re a genius!” “That’s what all the girls say,” said Ferdy. “Boys, too, actually.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stan-berenstain/ferdy-you-re-a-genius-that-s-what-all-the-girls-say-said-ferdy-boys/) [Stan Berenstain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stan-berenstain/) > [“You’re all forgetting about Farmer Ben’s pride,” he said. “I hardly think he’ll allow someone else to name his new market.” The other cubs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stan-berenstain/you-re-all-forgetting-about-farmer-ben-s-pride-he-said-i-hardly-think/) [Stan Berenstain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stan-berenstain/) > [“My dad says business isn’t so good right now. He can’t afford to hire anyone. Not even cubs.” “I’m afraid the Bearsonian won’t be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stan-berenstain/my-dad-says-business-isn-t-so-good-right-now-he-can-t-afford-to-hire/) [Stan Berenstain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stan-berenstain/) > [“Wow!” said Queenie. “I’ve never seen Farmer Ben so mad!” The cubs were huddled in the pumpkin patch. “Where did he go?” asked Lizzy.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stan-berenstain/wow-said-queenie-i-ve-never-seen-farmer-ben-so-mad-the-cubs-were/) [Stan Berenstain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stan-berenstain/) > [“Look!” she cried. “Up in the hayloft!” Three glowing faces had appeared side by side. They seemed to float in the air, just above…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stan-berenstain/look-she-cried-up-in-the-hayloft-three-glowing-faces-had-appeared/) [Stan Berenstain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stan-berenstain/) > [“I’ve got a broken milking machine I can’t afford to fix, and I’ve already had to fire my farm hand! My wife had to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stan-berenstain/i-ve-got-a-broken-milking-machine-i-can-t-afford-to-fix-and-i-ve/) [Stan Berenstain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stan-berenstain/) > [“Where are the cows?” asked Lizzy, looking around. “In the barn, waiting to be milked,” said Farmer Ben. “But they left plenty of cow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stan-berenstain/where-are-the-cows-asked-lizzy-looking-around-in-the-barn-waiting-to/) [Stan Berenstain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stan-berenstain/) [Explore all 19 Stan Berenstain quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stan-berenstain/) ## More Christmas gift quotes > [And when we give each other Christmas gifts in His name, let us remember that He has given us the sun and the moon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sigrid-undset/and-when-we-give-each-other-christmas-gifts-in-his-name-let-us/) [Sigrid Undset](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sigrid-undset/) > [I've got more than 600 pairs of Ray-Ban sunglasses, from 1950s originals to newer models. I have them on the wall like opticians do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzi-quatro/i-ve-got-more-than-600-pairs-of-ray-ban-sunglasses-from-1950s/) [Suzi Quatro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzi-quatro/) > [“The desire and the effort to give to the Lord, born of the surrender of man to the plan of salvation, stamp every Christmas…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-a-widtsoe/the-desire-and-the-effort-to-give-to-the-lord-born-of-the-surrender/) [John A. Widtsoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-a-widtsoe/) > [Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love. It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-thomas-ellis/blessed-is-the-season-which-engages-the-whole-world-in-a-conspiracy/) William Thomas Ellis > [Congress may be going home for the holidays soon. How can you beat a Christmas gift like that?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-hope/congress-may-be-going-home-for-the-holidays-soon-how-can-you-beat-a/) [Bob Hope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-hope/) > [The great majority of people will go on observing forms that cannot be explained; they will keep Christmas Day with Christmas gifts and Christmas…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-great-majority-of-people-will-go-on-observing-forms-that-cannot/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Donald Trump is a big Christmas gift wrapped under the tree for Hillary Clinton. She desperately hopes she runs against Donald Trump. I, however,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carly-fiorina/donald-trump-is-a-big-christmas-gift-wrapped-under-the-tree-for/) [Carly Fiorina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carly-fiorina/) > [You can never truly enjoy Christmas until you can look up into the Father's face and tell him you have received his Christmas gift.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-r-rice/you-can-never-truly-enjoy-christmas-until-you-can-look-up-into-the/) [John R. Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-r-rice/) > [I was in a department store and I saw a weird-looking gadget. I asked the young saleslady what it was. She answered, "It doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milton-berle/i-was-in-a-department-store-and-i-saw-a-weird-looking-gadget-i-asked/) [Milton Berle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milton-berle/) > [Christmas is a time when everybody wants his past forgotten and his present remembered.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phyllis-diller/christmas-is-a-time-when-everybody-wants-his-past-forgotten-and-his/) [Phyllis Diller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phyllis-diller/) > [I had two cups of coffee, put Eric's jeans in the washer, read a romance for awhile, and studied my brand-new Word of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlaine-harris/i-had-two-cups-of-coffee-put-eric-s-jeans-in-the-washer-read-a/) [Charlaine Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlaine-harris/) > [Buying me a Christmas gift on Cyber Monday is a great way to ensure I'll have sex with you until Christmas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/buying-me-a-christmas-gift-on-cyber-monday-is-a-great-way-to-ensure-i/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Not listening is probably the commonest unkindness of married life, and one that creates - more devastatingly than an eternity of forgotten birthdays and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-viorst/not-listening-is-probably-the-commonest-unkindness-of-married-life/) [Judith Viorst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-viorst/) > [Joel Waldfogel is one of the smartest and funniest economists on the planet. I think of him every time I start to unwrap a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-ayres/joel-waldfogel-is-one-of-the-smartest-and-funniest-economists-on-the/) Ian Ayres > [“A Lake Charles-based artist, Sally was a progressive Democrat who in 2016 primary favored Bernie Sanders. Sally's very dear friend and worl-traveling flight attendant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arlie-russell-hochschild/a-lake-charles-based-artist-sally-was-a-progressive-democrat-who-in/) [Arlie Russell Hochschild](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arlie-russell-hochschild/) [Browse all 76 Christmas gift quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christmas-gift/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Farmer Ben called about an oak table Papa’s repairing for him. They got to talking, and Ben told Papa that the farm has run into hard times. He had to fire his full-time farm hand. And now a lot of chores aren’t getting done. So Papa asked him if he would hire us to do them. And he said yes!” “Super!” cried Babs. “Outta sight!” said Queenie. “How much is he gonna pay us?” asked Lizzy. “Not much,” said Brother. “Just chicken feed.” “ Chicken feed? ” gasped Barry. “We can’t pay for Christmas gifts with chicken feed! 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