The Beauty of Aesop

Aesop, believed to have been a Greek slave who lived around 600 BC, accomplished what most writers can only dream of:  longevity.  He wrote timeless, meaningful pieces that have been told and retold for over 2500 years now.  Wow!

I was reading a collection to my kids when one particularly hit me.  It’s called The Lion and the Donkey.  It is a very short but the point hit home.

A lion is walking through a forest and all the other animals are making way for him except for the donkey who brays a scornful remark.  At first the lion was angry until he realized it was only the donkey, a fool, who had spoken.  He walked quietly on, not even deeming to respond.

Moral:  Do not resent the remarks of a fool.  Ignore them.

I wish I could do that.  I do take things so personally.  I couldn’t get over 30 comments of people telling me where to go in my newspaper column.  I just couldn’t.  The same with this blog.  The hurtful things people have said in the past still stings.

Part of me wishes I would.  But the other part doesn’t.  Because I think it’s this part that makes my writing better than average.  That makes it unique.  That tells the story as only I can.  That will one day fulfill my dream.  And purpose in this fleeting life.

This is at least what I cling to.  Hope.  God.  Family.  Purpose.

5 thoughts on “The Beauty of Aesop

  1. Ha! I’ve never heard that one! Thank you for sharing, I appreciate the lesson as well. While I can let most things roll off of me, sometimes I have trouble.

  2. It’s so amazing how such a simple story can have such a profound and lasting impact. It just goes to show that the stories that stick with you are the stories that have something to say. Interesting food for thought.

  3. Thanks I needed to hear this story, I will post this quote on my refrigerator today. Thanks for sharing. Blessings to you and your family.

  4. Thank you so much for this story and your comment. You are just an amazing young woman. Please do NOT allow others (fools) to cause you to not write because what you say is very meaningful and helpful to me and others.
    Bless you for being you.

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