The Parable
A huge Canadian guy was given a job as a woodcutter.
He was so grateful for the opportunity to work, and support his wife and family, that he vowed to work as hard as he could, and fell as many trees as he could.
On the first day, he worked very hard, and managed to cut down 13 trees. He was delighted with himself, and also his boss was delighted. He vowed to do even better on the second day.
On the second day, he worked even harder than the previous day, and took a shorter lunch break.
By the end of the working day, he had only managed to cut down 11 trees.
He arrived for work even earlier on day three, and worked right through his lunch break. He worked as hard as he possibly could, and only managed to cut down 9 trees.
At the end of the day, he walked dejectedly into the boss's office, and offered to resign. He said that he could not explain his poor performance, given what he had achieved on day one.
The boss would not accept his resignation, and asked just one question of him.
"Tell me, when did you last sharpen your axe?"
Labels: inspiration, ramblings, self-development
by Karl
5:14 PM
10 Comments:
what does this mean?
By
lebby1000, at
5:35 PM
What an inspring one Karl, like the axe,so are our brains too.You really help sharpen mine, whereby trees are problems and challenges that need to be cut on my way forward. :)
By
Lopson Kay, at
8:58 PM
You're looking pretty badass there, bro!
By
Clay Collins, at
5:04 AM
Beautiful, but why a Canadian?
By
CCs Princess, at
2:58 PM
I love this story. I'm guessing the Canadian was used to evoke images of forests in the Yukon and old school lumberjacks without having to say any of it with words. Though, it has the potential to be taken the wrong way. Thanks for the story!
Gina
By
Gina, at
1:10 AM
I found the story nice and i know that there is a purpose with it... It would be really helpfull if u could complete the story or atleast analysis how you have understood it. Because I have no clue what is meant by sharpen ur axe.. is it that he needed a break?
By
Anonymous, at
8:37 AM
Good parable. Thanks for sharing. I enjoyed it.
By
Authorwriter, at
2:04 AM
Great story.
By
Anonymous, at
6:22 AM
I believe that the purpose of a parable is that you get from it what is perfect for you at that time.
I've read parables and sayings years later and extracted totally different gems of wisdom.
So, in the mashed words of Joseph Campbell, you will get the wisdom that is waiting for you :)
By
Karl Moore, at
5:36 AM
I believe this parable is an excellent example and representation of how we often second guess ourselves and also situations (plus others), and how quickly we fall into self doubt, or assume the worst of ourselves, often misjudging and poorly trying to measure our own self worth. Focusing on the positive is always best of course, yet somehow we seem to at times have the wrong frame of minds, full of doubt, and self hate, we need to connect to that inner voice and inner child and say to it "Hey buddy, wrong direction, go right next time, you path should be clear"
Sat Nam, ~(-_-)~
Piper
By
♥Piper♥, at
7:07 PM
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