Once again in our times we are in an era of stress. A mysterious virus has led us to fear and has kept us isolated and apart from one another. This fear has denied us the most common expression of care and love – the human touch. And, there is so much controversy and disagreement… on social media, on the talk shows, on the political commercials… is the virus a hoax? Is wearing a mask helping or hurting? So much talk. So many opinions. It seems everyone has something to say.
I don’t know why but it reminds me of an old story that has come to me again out of the fog of time. Here it is:
A group of frogs was traveling through the woods when two of them fell into a deep pit. When the other frogs saw how deep the pit was they concluded there was no hope for their fallen friends. However, the two trapped frogs refused to give up. Again and again they jumped and jumped trying to get out of the pit. Each time they failed. The other frogs began yelling at them… urging them to stop and just accept their fate and simply die. One frog took their advice and fell to the bottom. But, the other frog kept trying. Harder and harder he jumped trying to reach the top of the pit to save himself. His every effort was met by derision from the other frogs, who kept shouting at him to give up. “Just give up”, they urged. But, the little frog kept trying and finally he made it. He rolled over the top of the pit and lay on the ground completely exhausted, but alive. The other frogs gathered around him and continued their shouting. “Did you not hear us? You should have given up. You’re crazy.” It was then the brave little frog explained that he was deaf. And, he thought the other frogs were encouraging him to keep trying. My mentor then explained to me the moral of this story.
We need to be careful what comes out of our mouths for the words we speak can hurt and harm and sometimes mean the difference between life or death. In the present day with words and opinions coming from everywhere and completely enveloping us maybe the story of the frogs is something we should think about in this troublesome time of our lives.