I know most of us are familiar about the famous Aesop Fable "The Turtle and The Rabbit" or "The Tortoise and The Hare". This has been told for generations because it conveys a lesson that laziness and procrastination can be our biggest defeat. The rabbit no matter how fast a runner yet still a loser in the race, in contrary the turtle though walks so slow but steadily was able to win because he never procrastinated during the race. That was something we all learned from this story since childhood. Similarly, when heaps of reality TV shows became a trend in most TV channels locally or internationally, like my favorite "The Amazing Race," we have learned that we can never underestimate the underdog, they can always get an opportunity to snatch the pot prize. This is the inspiration that in the world anyone can have its own chance of success.
However today I have learned from another story that during the race the turtle have met some friends that would tell us great lessons about life also. So along the way during the turtle's battle to win and show the rabbit that he can beat him, he got friends that cheered him up to walk and run steadily.
On the course of the race, while the rabbit was sleeping peacefully and the turtle walked doing his thing, he met a snail along the way, and looking at the snail the turtle thought that the former looked so weary crawling slowly thus the turtle told him to climb up to his back for a lift, the snail smiled and climbed, and happily thought that he could finally take some rest at the turtle's back.
A little more farther when the turtle almost passed the rabbit sleeping under a tree, he noticed the worm creeping slowly on the ground. The turtle again offered the worm to give a lift and up to his back the worm went. When the snail noticed the worm rested beside him, the snail quickly blurted out, "Brace yourself, my friend! This turtle is really fast!" As soon as the turtle heared the snail, he then steadily walked faster going to the finish line. And, eventually won the race.
In the finish line, not only did he won the race, his kindness made him won both the snail and the worm his great cheerers and friends.
LESSONS
The story of "The Turtle and The Rabbit" already teaches us a lot of moral lessons. As I've mentioned on the first part of this article laziness and procrastination can create an obstruction from attaining our goals. Moreover, overconfidence can create complacency in our actions that would also hinder our success.
Socially, we should not underestimate anyone, for even the smallest of this world can beat the best of us. And this is a wisdom from God.
But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. - 1 Corinthians 1:27
How about the new addition in the story, the snail and the worm, what does it teaches us? It must be a funny remark from the snail to brace themselves because the turtle was just so fast, I too laughed at it at first. However, I thought that, with the slowness of movement and locomotion these creatures have to live with each and every single moment of their existence, I can say that the snail blurted out honesty and sheer innocence. Life was never so easy for them living that way and an experiece of being transported way better than what they can achieve is an amazing experience. Like us, every little achievements we made in our life is extraordinary and worth to be grateful about.
Lastly and definitely the most important lesson I learned from the snail and the worm- NEVER MAGNIFY THE LACK THAT YOU HAVE. Actually, we are all blessed. But unfortunately, some could no longer appreciate the small blessings because adversities and anxieties are overwhelming. The snail after experiencing a ride at the back of the turtle, can easily whine or fret about his innate slowness, he can do that, but he didn't. Instead he enjoyed the moment and with his positive mindset he can definitely go places.
Count your blessings!
Photos from Pixabay (no attribution required)
Photo below is mine
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It is a very pleasant read that I enjoyed. I was not aware of the addition of these two new issues to the story. But everything is valid for the imagination and more if this stimulates knowledge. Instead of lamenting his motor deficit condition the snail found it better to praise his transporter and at the same time served as food for the turtle's self-esteem.