Monday, May 24, 2010

Motivational Monday - "The King's Highway"

Once a king had a great highway built for the members of his kingdom. After it was completed, but before it was opened to the public, the kind decided to have a contest.
He invited as many as desired to participate. Their challenge was to see who could travel the highway best.

On the day of the contest the people came. Some of them had fine chariots, some had fine clothing, fine hairdos, or great food.
Some young men came in their track clothing and ran along the highway.
People traveled the highway all day, but each one, when he arrived at the end, complained to the king that there was a large pile of rocks and debris left on the road at one spot, and this got in their way and hindered their travel.
At the end of the day, a lone traveler crossed the finish line and wearily walked over to the king. He was tired and dirty, but he addressed the king with great respect and handed him a bag of gold.

He explained, "I stopped along the way to clear away a pile of rocks and debris that was blocking the road. This bag of gold was under it all, and I want you to return it to its rightful owner."

The king replied, "You are the rightful owner."

The traveler replied, "Oh no, this is not mine. I've never known such money."

"Oh yes," said the king, "you've earned this gold, for you won my contest. He who travels the road best is he who makes the road smoother for those who will follow."


The Little Things
The little things are most worthwhile.
A quiet word, a look, a smile,
A listening ear that's quick to share
Another's thoughts, another's care....
Though sometimes they may seem quite small,
These little things mean most of all.

--- By Margaret Lindsey

"What do we live for if not to make life less difficult for others?" -- George Elliot

2 comments:

Valerie said...

Wonderful post! I love that story and hope that I can be more like that good traveler.

Welcome to the Garden of Egan said...

Beautiful.
I hope you are surviving the end of the school year craziness.
Enjoy it.

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