In Your Hands (Jeweish Folktale)
Once there was a young rabbi who settled down in a community. He was eager to teach and make his mark in the world. After several months he had been invited to speak at the local temple and had taught a few students, but felt he was still in the shadow of the old rabbi who had been there for many years. The students flocked to learn from this old man and the young man had no followers at all.The young man knew that the only way to attract students was to discredit the old rabbi in front of all his students. The young man thought about it for many nights until at last he devised a plan. He decided to approach the old teacher during his morning lesson. The young rabbi would keep a live dove in his hand, behind his back. Then he would ask the old man if the bird he was holding was alive or dead. If the old man said dead, the young rabbi would let the dove fly free; if the old man said alive, the young man would break the bird’s neck with his fingers and present a dead bird to him. The young rabbi’s plan was foolproof.There was no way for the old teacher to win this contest. This would finally prove that the old man was not as wise as the people in the community thought.The morning came and, as the old man and his students sat in the shade of a huge tree, the young man approached. The young rabbi waited for just the right moment, and then he stood up and spoke.“Rabbi,” he started, “I have in my hand a bird. Is it alive or dead?”The old man looked up at him with a face that was serene, but also a bit sad.“That, my friend is entirely up to you,” he said.The young rabbi stood there for a moment. Finally, he let the bird go and sat down at the feet of the old man.
How many times do we see people pulling others down using unfair means? Don’t we see people using all kinds of short cuts to achieve quick success?
How many times do we feel jealous of our colleagues/coworkers without actually judging their abilities?
Don’t we just keep on comparing ourselves with others?
Don’t we often burn in the fire of envy without making any efforts to better ourselves?
"Comparisons are odious."
A comparison is almost always repulsive.
We must learn how to acknowledge greatness and good things in others. At the same time, our focus should be on making ourselves better.
Trying unfair means to get quick success or recognition will not do great favor in the long run.
Instead, cultivating a feeling of healthy competition and focusing on improving self is something which will result in lasting success and more importantly in happiness!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Abhishek Ratna is the author of Amazon Bestseller - No Parking. No Halt. Success Nonstop!
About the book:
A self-help book for success at work! No Parking. No Halt. Success Nonstop!  has 50 career lessons for today's 20teen generation.
Practical and comprehensive, the book often stretches to the point of 'cunning without harming'. Interspersed with quotes, stories and humor, it also breaks a few myths. The author treads the fine line between ethical and non-ethical. The author is able to convince the reader about the necessity for professional success.
Get your copy here -
Amazon: http://www.amazon.in/dp/8189930982

Flipkart: http://www.flipkart.com/no-parking-halt-success-non-stop-english/p/itmecm7jc8vjeydf?pid=9788189930981
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This series ‘Life Lessons from Folktales’ brings to you best of folktales from all over the world with the purpose of teaching you valuable and simple lessons for life.