Have you ever played the game of standing in the middle of a busy sidewalk and looking up? People will stop, follow your gaze, and ask what you are looking at. You could say “Oh, there was an eagle on the ledge, but it’s gone now. Stick close to your little child – eagles have been known to carry them off.”
Wow, you are now halfway to becoming a leader if you choose. All you would have to do is assure the assembled crowd that you are an expert on eagles and have already taken care of the problem. Those who believe you will be relieved of their anxiety and may now follow your lead.
In the spirit of Aesop, the great limericist, here is the scenario in verse.
When the doves a large shadow they sense,
They fly up and for their defense
They hide in their cote,
Yet, they never do gloat
Cause their fear of the eagle’s intense.
From the top of his tree he does speak
To the doves who seem always so meek,
“If I were your King
Blessed peace I would bring;
I’d protect you from every sharp beak.”
From the doves a soft murmur arises.
The eagle is full of surprises!
But a wise dove is wary,
He thinks the plan’s scary.
This safety will cost, he surmises.
King Eagle makes a bold proclamation
To his trusting and willing dove nation,
“To keep you all free,
You’ll make ready for me
One dove for a daily oblation.”
Is the shadow that we’re taught to fear,
A real threat or just a sincere
Reminder of rain
Which makes lush the dry plain?
Beware of The King Profiteer.
As you look back at your school years who did you admire most: the person who sowed chaos and became a leader by solving the problems she created… or the peacemaker who brought students together in unity and harmony?
May you nurture the peacemaker in yourself and create harmony around you.
