THIS 'N THAT...2/21/2011

Storytelling can be a powerful tool, a word can be worth a thousand pictures.

The Story of "The Mule"
authory unknown

Once there was a farmer who owned an old mule. The unfortunate mule fell into the farmer's well. The farmer heard the mule brayng - or whatever mules do when they fall into wells.
After carefully assessing the situation, the farmer sympathized with the mule but decided that neither the mule nor the well was worth the trouble of saving. Instead, he called his neighbors together and told them what had happened...and enlisted them to help haul dirt to bury the old mule in the well and put him out of his misery.

Initially, the old mule was hysterical! But the farmer and his neighbors continued shoveling and the dirt hit his back...it suddenly downed on the mule that every time a shovel load of dirt landed on his back...HE SHOULD SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP!

This he did, blow after blow, "Shake it off and step up...shake it off and step up...shake it off and step up!" he repeated to encourage himself. No matter how painful the blows, or distressing the situation seemed, the old mule fought panic and just kept right on SHAKING IT OFF AND STEPPING UP!

Of course, it wasn't long before the old mule, battered and exhausted, stepped triumphantly over the wall of that well! What seemed like it would bury him actually blessed him...all because of the manner in which he handled his adversity.

Scripture on Courage:
"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak (Isaish 40:29)

"Be stong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord." (Psalm 31:24)

"Have I not commanded you? Be stong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not de discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9)

Quote:
"Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point."
C. S. Lewis

Shared by Patty B.