THE PARABLE OF THE ALLIGATOR AND THE SNAKE
[Pictured: the winnings from my day at the gaming side show of the Sydney Easter Show]
The Alligator and the Snake: A Parable
Once upon a time, in a vast swamp, there lived an alligator named Al and a snake named Sam. Al was known for his strength and powerful jaws, while Sam was praised for his agility and cunning.
One hot summer day, Al basked in the sun on a large rock, enjoying the warmth while listening to the sounds of the swamp. Sam slithered by, feeling wise and clever, and decided to boast about his prowess.
"Al, you might be strong," Sam hissed with a sly grin, "but you can't match my speed or my ability to navigate through the tiniest spaces. I can slip through the reeds while you would take ages to turn around!"
Al raised his head, amused. "That may be true, Sam," he replied, "but strength has its advantages. I can protect myself and my territory better than you can."
Sam, not wanting to concede, proposed a challenge. "Let’s have a race to that tree on the other side of the swamp! The winner will prove superiority!"
Al chuckled, "Very well, but remember, my speed is not my strongest asset."
The next day, all the animals gathered to watch the race. Al, with his powerful strokes, moved steadily through the water, while Sam darted nimbly along the bank, weaving through the grass.
As they neared the tree, Sam noticed something in the water. A group of small fish was struggling, caught in the weeds. Ignoring the competition, he decided to help them, thinking it better to save lives than to win a race. He wound himself around the weeds, freeing the fish one by one.
Meanwhile, Al arrived at the tree first but watched Sam through the rippling water, his heart swelling with admiration. He realized that while he possessed strength, Sam had a different, yet equally important, quality: compassion.
When Sam finally reached the tree, the crowd cheered not just for the race but for the act of kindness he showed. Al approached Sam and said, “You may not have won the race, but you certainly won everyone’s respect today.”
Sam smiled and replied, “And you taught me that strength can be useful, but it’s our choices that define who we truly are.”
From that day on, the alligator and the snake became friends, each valuing the unique qualities of the other, understanding that strength and kindness belong together in harmony. They spent their days helping one another and the creatures of the swamp.
Moral
True strength lies not only in power but also in the choices we make to help others. Embrace both your strengths and the strengths of those around you, for together, you can achieve great things.