A group of Entered Apprentices were on their way to a lesson with Hiram Abif in one of the quarries. Upon reaching the quarry, they observed Hiram hard at work preparing an ashlar to be brought to the building
site. The Apprentices admired how skillfully Hiram swung his gavel and how nearly perfect the nearly completed the ashlar was.
Upon reaching their Grand Master, one of the bolder Apprentices said to Hiram, “Your work is so impressive. I see the gavel you use. Due to your
status as Grand Master, you must have the best gavel available.”
Hiram responded, “Here, take my gavel and work upon that stone over there.”
With great effort, the Apprentice lifted the gavel with both hands. He walked to the stone, but he could barely swing the gavel. Eventually, he was able to make two or three hits on the stone, but each of them was without effect.
“This gavel is far too heavy for me.” said the Apprentice, “I cannot swing it properly.”
“Give me yours.” said Hiram. The Apprentice did so.
Hiram walked over to the stone he had been working on. There was one corner of the cube that needed the very slightest smoothing and it would be finished.
Hiram sat on his stool and began to use the gavel. Within two or three swings, the nearly finished corner was completely in ruins.
“Why did you do that?!?” asked the astounded Apprentice.
“Using your tools, I could not have done otherwise” answered Hiram.