The Tiny Winner

A group of little beetles arranged a climbing competition to reach the top of a very high tree. A large crowd of woodland creatures gathered around to see the climb and cheer on the contestants.

The race began.

Honestly, no one in the crowd really believed that the tiny beetles would make it to the top. They said:

“Oh, it’s way too difficult!”

“There’s not a chance the beetles will succeed. The tree is too high, the bark is too rough.”

Confirming these predictions, most of the beetles began collapsing one by one, although a few continued to climb higher and higher.

The crowd continued to yell, “It’s too difficult! No one will make it.”

More beetles got tired and gave up.

But one very small beetle continued to climb higher and higher and higher. This one just wouldn’t give up!

Eventually, after all the others fell back, feeling utterly exhausted, the little beetle made one big effort and – finally – reached the pinnacle.

Naturally, all the other contestants wanted to know how the winning beetle had managed to succeed where others failed. One of them asked the tiny creature, “How did you find the strength to keep climbing?”

No answer came back.

The winner couldn’t hear the question. It turned out that he was deaf!

Clearly, the moral of this story is never to listen to the negativity of others – it will cost you the fulfilment of your best dreams. However, it is just as essential to be deaf to the fears and doubts of our own mind, to remain positive, and never give up the struggle to reach our own tree top.