Single Story Many Lessons
Editors Corner | The CEO Show | The CEO Magazine
Guest Author
crow sat on a tree doing nothing. Not too far, a turkey stood in a field chatting with a bull. "I would love to be able to get to the top of yonder tree like the crow," sighed the turkey, "but I haven't got the energy."
"Well, why don't you nibble on my droppings?" replied the bull. “They're packed with nutrients."
The turkey pecked at a lump of dung and found that it actually gave him enough strength to reach the top of the tree. A small rabbit scurrying nearby saw the turkey, and asked him, "Can I also sit like you birds and do nothing all day long?" The beaming Turkey answered: "Sure, why not." So, the rabbit sat on the ground below the birds, and rested. All of a sudden, a fox appeared, pounced on the rabbit and made a meal of it.
Meanwhile, the birds were spotted by a farmer who dashed to his farmhouse. The crow who was always observant of what was going around saw this and promptly left the tree. The farmer emerged with a shotgun and shot the turkey off the tree.
Moral #1 of the Story: Bullshit might get you to the top, but it won't keep you there.
Moral #2 of the Story: Never seek advice from a turkey even if he is high up.
Moral #3 of the Story: Never let a turkey climb to the top unless you are ready to flee the coop.
Moral #4 of the Story: To be sitting and doing nothing, you must be sitting very, very high and very very careful.
