Power to the Pebble

Our childhood stories always have fables and mythological stories and we all love them. They make the impossible seem possible and also help us understand and acknowledge imperfections. Each of the different stories has characters that come across tasks which seem 'impossible until they are done'. Saying we need to take inspiration from these stories is cliche, but the truth is when the going gets tough, we choose not to be those 'tough ones'

There is nothing wrong with that. It is very difficult. Giving up is easier. Fighting needs more energy. And I also acknowledge that those times are very lonely. Nothing seems to be working out. No one around you makes sense and we often feel they cannot empathise with us. Inspite of these odds, there are some among us who will not give up and continue to fight. 

I enjoy reading fables and parables and I am intrigued by the character sketch presented in each story. The story of the fox and the grapes and the thirsty crow fit well into today's theme. We know in Aesop's fables that the crow ended up drinking the water and the fox didn't get the grapes. But I don't know why it had to be that way. I think both had similar desires and it's their physiological need which motivated them to attempt these impossible tasks. I am also assuming that both were as hungry and thirsty as the other. Why, then, did both these stories have different endings? 

No theory of survival can be remembered when things are not going our way. At that time I think what keeps us going is maybe something or someone who tells us to go on. I have experienced this myself many times. I don't give up or give in easily (that's what I inherited from my mother) but there are times when you have had enough. In those darkest moments, there is 'the hand of God'. 

This could be a song, a story, a book, a movie, a stranger, a friend, a mentor, anyone or anything that appears at that moment when we are on the verge of giving up and instills back in us the desire to go on. The crow found that and the fox didn't. 

Acknowlegding the problem was something both the crow and the fox did, but only the crow experienced that moment which egged him to go on. I don't think the crow was an expert at problem-solving or had heard of Archimedes. There is no other character in the story motivating either of them but I would like to think the pebbles 'spoke' to the crow and she then used them 'as stepping stones to success'. Whereas the 'sour grapes' did not entice the fox enough for her to take that 'leap of faith'.

There will be many difficult situtaions. These times will come in different intensities. It could be cheating on your diet or exercise plan or giving up on a course you signed up for or giving up on a job. Each time, the decision to go on will not be easy but you need to be patient - patient with your task and patient with yourself. 

And most important of all to look around you for those 'pebbles' that  through their words or actions will give you hope to go on. I believe these are not very difficult to find and are around you. So, power to the pebble! (pun intended)