The journey of a flexible ruler from Mittenwald, Germany to North Adams, Massachusetts.
How much does a flexible ruler go for these days? $10-30 depending on the retailer. Mine cost $20,000. Free for me, really, and the story of why is priceless.
Last year was my first year to attend violin repair class in Massachusetts. The instructor is a legend in the exclusive world of violin restoration. He brought a small supply of flexible rulers made by a shop in his hometown of Mittenwald, Germany, for students in the class who might need one.
In my usual introverted fashion, I waited too long to speak out about needing one, so I missed out on the honor of having a finely crafted Mittenwald flexible ruler.
A year goes by. I return for summer classes and am greeted with a gift from my thoughtful, trusting teacher. While visiting Germany for business and family, my instructor returned to the shop that makes the flexible rulers only to find they’d closed the business. Through his network of contacts, he tracked down the owner to inquire about the rulers. He had two left. My teacher bought both and presented me with one when I returned for class this year. So how much did this ruler cost, one might ask?
$20,000!
My mentor loves humor, so he justifies the amount by adding up the cost of travel for he and his beloved wife. Airfare, hotels, cars, meals, incidentals all add up to the most expensive flexible ruler on the planet.
A gift from a teacher who went out of his way for a student who is desperately trying to enter the profession. I hope I earn it and will treasure it forever.