The Clockmaker

A clockmaker built clocks with sealed cases. They were beautiful and kept good time.

When one stopped, he had to break the case to find the problem. Often the problem was small — a loose screw, a worn gear — but finding it took hours.

His apprentice built clocks with glass panels. Less elegant, perhaps, but when something went wrong, she could see it immediately.

"Customers prefer the beauty," the clockmaker said.

"Customers prefer clocks that work," the apprentice replied.