A metaphor story
Once in a distant land, there were a group of tribesmen who yearly conducted a long distance horse race across the desert from one point to another [ever see the movie "Hidalgo"?]. Six or seven of the contestants field horses with varying degrees of breeding desirability, but all with a reasonably high level of reputation for speed and endurance. A couple field horses with far less accolades and no real chance to compete, but they want to maintain their affiliation with the group for THEIR favored competition [goat wrangling]. One old wise tribesman, known as "The Wizard", who has for a number of years been unable to acquire a fast horse, but is very crafty, fields a mule. However, not just any mule, but one he has selected and trained for its heart and toughness and ability to trot all day without slowing to a walk.
All the other contestants take off running over the flat route which is actually quite a bit longer since it is a winding path through some mountain passes, but at least they get to use their speed. However, "The Wizard" takes his mule [nicknamed "Five Heart"] on a direct route over the mountains, braving bumps and falls, but greatly shortening the route. He believes in his mind that he is going to beat a number, if not most, of the faster animals, and maybe if things break just right, and his mule gives it's all, he just might beat ALL those pedigreed fast beasts. And, maybe he will.
OK, maybe it's a stupid story, but I amused myself, and I've got that going for me.
Once in a distant land, there were a group of tribesmen who yearly conducted a long distance horse race across the desert from one point to another [ever see the movie "Hidalgo"?]. Six or seven of the contestants field horses with varying degrees of breeding desirability, but all with a reasonably high level of reputation for speed and endurance. A couple field horses with far less accolades and no real chance to compete, but they want to maintain their affiliation with the group for THEIR favored competition [goat wrangling]. One old wise tribesman, known as "The Wizard", who has for a number of years been unable to acquire a fast horse, but is very crafty, fields a mule. However, not just any mule, but one he has selected and trained for its heart and toughness and ability to trot all day without slowing to a walk.
All the other contestants take off running over the flat route which is actually quite a bit longer since it is a winding path through some mountain passes, but at least they get to use their speed. However, "The Wizard" takes his mule [nicknamed "Five Heart"] on a direct route over the mountains, braving bumps and falls, but greatly shortening the route. He believes in his mind that he is going to beat a number, if not most, of the faster animals, and maybe if things break just right, and his mule gives it's all, he just might beat ALL those pedigreed fast beasts. And, maybe he will.
OK, maybe it's a stupid story, but I amused myself, and I've got that going for me.
