Three stories

Last week, I had a reason to discuss three stories shared with me some time ago with a professional audience. The response was very good and the lessons even struck me again refreshingly.

Given that stories are compelling for teaching and learning, the stories are shared here for the purpose of general education and inner peace:

The first story

An eagle was sitting on a tree doing nothing.

A small rabbit saw the eagle and asked him, “Can I also sit like you and do nothing?”

The eagle replied, “Sure, why not?”

So, the rabbit sat on the ground below the eagle and rested. All of a sudden, a fox appeared, jumped on the rabbit and ate it.”

The LESSON is that to be sitting doing nothing, you must be sitting high up.

Students who wish to have a good future don’t waste their time and idle away at their prime. Those who wish to reap bounteous harvest must work on their farm during the raining season. The only place where success comes before work is the dictionary.

Nevertheless, there is a counter-lesson. Even when you sit high up, doing nothing, you will soon fall. Though the argument of the story dwells more on the rabbit, a leader who sits high up doing nothing, listens to all tales and watches while his community burns will soon have a date with history. Like Humpty Dumpty, he falls off the wall. Hard work pays; hard work doesn’t kill.

The second story

A turkey was chatting with a bull.

“I would love to be able to get to the top of that tree,” sighed the turkey, “but I haven’t got the energy.”

“Well, why don’t you nibble on some of my droppings?” replied the bull. “They are packed with nutrients.”

The turkey pecked at a lump of dung, and found that it actually gave him enough strength to reach the lowest branch of the tree. The next day, after eating some more dung, he reached the second branch. Finally, after the fourth night, the turkey was proudly perching at the top of the tree.

Then, he was spotted as a big bird by a farmer, who shot him out of the tree and out of life.

The LESSON is that bullshit might get you to the top but it won’t keep you there. If you cheat to gain university admission, cheating wouldn’t see you through. If you maneuver your way into a position and you are still cocky, then, you will have to bear the heat of your hot seat.

The third story

A little bird was flying south for the winter. It was so cold; the bird froze and fell to the ground into a large field.

While he was there, a cow came by and dropped some dung on him. As the frozen bird lay there in the pile of cow dung, he began to realise how warm he was. The dung was actually thawing him out! He lay there under the dung all warm and happy, and soon began to sing for joy.

A passing cat heard the bird sing and came to investigate. Following the sound, the cat discovered the bird under the pile of cow dung, and promptly dug him out and ate him up.

LESSON one: Not everyone who shits on you is your enemy.

LESSON two: Not everyone who gets you out of shit is your friend.

And LESSON three: when you are in deep shit, it is best to keep your mouth shut.

Re: Seven success secrets

Students must read to pass. There is no magic about it.  – Feyi Akeeb Kareem, Ogwashi-Ukwu Civil Society, Delta State

Everyman wants success to become a better person. Man must realize that success goes with a lot of sacrifice. May Allah continue to bless you for the thoughtful and inspiring articles. – Aina Akindele Oyebanji, Ketu, Lagos State