Three Strikes And You’re Out…

There’s an old story that goes something like this:

A young Brave came to the Council of Elders to seek advice on a problem.
The Elders discussed the problem amongst themselves and then summoned the Brave.

He was given the combined wisdom of the Elders in the form of a solution to his problem.

The Brave returned a second time and again asked the Council of Elders for help with the same problem. This time there was no discussion amongst the Elders. The Brave was given the combined wisdom of the Elders in the form of a solution to his problem — which was identical to what he was given the first time.

The Brave returned a third time and asked the Council of Elders for help with his problem.

“Why do you bother us with the same question we have answered two times? Nothing has changed and our answer to your problem is still the same.

Now you insult us by asking a third time.

You insult us because you disrespect our wisdom. You insult us because you are deaf to our words. You waste our time because you think your problem is special or different — yet you make no effort to use our solution.

Instead you choose to protect your problem because it gives you medicine — a reason to come before the Elders. You fear solving the problem because without it you no longer have meaning to your life. What will you talk about once the problem is solved?

Answer that question and the problem will go away.”

The Brave returned a fourth time — his status as Brave was immediately reduced to that of a boy.

“In the world of people — said one of the Elders — a Brave seeks the council of his Elders when he has faced the end of his understanding.

To be kicked by his pony is the destiny of a boy.”

-Bob Baran