Growing up in an African village there was a time when the seniors would take us to the communal meeting place for motivational lessons about life.
One story I remember vividly is that about the elephant and the jackal.
A story is about how an elephant and a dog became pregnant simultaneously.
Three months down the line the jackal gave birth to six puppies. Six months later the jackal was pregnant again, and nine months on it gave birth to another dozen puppies. The pattern continued.
On the 18th month, the jackal approached the elephant questioning, “Are you sure that you are pregnant? We became pregnant on the same date, I have given birth three times to a dozen puppies, and they are now grown to become big jackals, yet you are still pregnant. What’s going on?”
The elephant replied, “There is something I want you to understand. What I am carrying is not a puppy but an elephant. I only give birth to one in two years. When my baby hits the ground, the earth will feel it. When my baby crosses the road, human beings stop and watch in admiration, what I carry draws attention. So, what I’m carrying is mighty and great.”
The moral of this story is that there is time and place for everything. Every flower blooms at a different pace. There’s no comparison between the sun and the moon. They shine when it’s their time. Don’t lose faith when you see others achieving their success. Uniqueness lies in not comparing oneself to others. Your time is coming!
Life is designed in a way that puppies can be born just after three months…but birthing an elephant takes time. So, keep holding on to your dreams no matter how hard it gets.
Never five up. Be patient, and persistent, and keep your efforts in the right direction.
