The Simple Path to Success
Yesterday I happened on a little book for children that we had purchased but never read to our daughter. Now that I’ve done so I can’t tell you how excellent it is, and how invaluable the lesson within its pages.
In fact, it’s message is so timely I will share the story with you, in brief.
It tells of a time in Africa, long ago, when there was no food in the land of short grass for the animals. The animals finally gathered together and decided to cross the big plain to find food.
Once they had crossed the plain, they came to a tree laden with fruit.
Only problem was, it was too tall for the giraffe to reach the fruits and too smooth for the monkeys to climb up. The animals cried and wailed because they were so hungry and couldn’t reach the fruit.
When they had exhausted themselves, an old tortoise spoke and said that his grandmother had told him that only those who knew the name of this special tree could eat it’s fruit. The old tortoise further revealed that only the lion, the king of beasts, knew the name of the tree.
Well, the lion had stayed in the jungle – he, apparently, hadn’t needed food. It was decided that the gazelle would go and ask the tree’s name of the king.
The gazelle ran quick as a flash across the plain, proud of it’s ability to run faster than any other animal. It got the name of the tree from the lion and raced back. Just before reaching the other animals, however, he tripped in a rabbit hole, took a tumble, and banged his head.
When the animals rushed to him and asked the name of the tree, he couldn’t remember.
Next, the elephant volunteered. She said, ‘I never forget anything.’ So pleased was she with her memory that she named all the trees, animals and plants in the jungle as she walked back. Just before reaching the others, she too stepped into the rabbit hole. Her foot became stuck fast. She pulled and pulled, until finally, with a mighty heave, she pulled it free.
By that time the other animals were crowded around her. ‘The name of the tree, they implored.’ The elephant had forgotten.
Finally, a young tortoise volunteered to make the journey. Of course the other animals laughed, saying, ‘you’re too slow and too small to accomplish what the gazelle and elephant couldn’t.’
Nonetheless, the tortoise went. And when he got the name of the tree he repeated it to himself all the way back, over and over again. When he reached the rabbit hole he actually fell to the bottom of it. But he never stopped repeating the name.
All the animals were gathered round the rabbit hole as he crawled out repeating the name of the tree as he came. And thus the animals finally learned the name of the tree.
There you have it. Physical ability will take you only so far. Mental capacity also has limitations. Patient, single-minded focus wins the day.
Count while you play. Breathe while you count. Visualize while you breathe.
All the best,
Clayton Haslop
P.S. If you want to get this story – it’s a must for parents with young children – it’s called, ‘The Name of the Tree’. The book can be found at Groundwoods.com.
