The boy who cried "Wolf"

Another legendary story -

As I couldn't exactly remember the story, apart from the fact that he cries "wolf!" when there is no wolf so many times that when there finally is a wolf, no one comes to his aid, I decided to look up atleast some version of the story, because, I think there is more to learn from that story than just "Nobody believes a liar...even when he is telling the truth!"

I found the story here.

Now, its a nice story, lesson learnt, "do not lie".

Agreed, the boy lied about an unseen wolf. But, that is all he can do even if he really does see a wolf. So, dear villagers, you may have to put a few extra trips up the mountain, but isn't it better to be careful? Shouldn't you either reassign the task of taking care of the sheep to someone else? Or if that isn't possible (as can be the case in most other similar situations), shouldn't you actually make the extra trips up the mountain? Better be careful, than cry over spilt milk, right?

So I say, when the stakes are high, don't assume. Do what needs to be done, taking the worst possible situation into consideration. Learn the lesson from the villagers who lost their sheep (assuming they did :D). Don't get into a false sense of security, assuming its only a lie.

I learnt it at the cost of a major part of my life. Let it not happen to you.

Unusable? or Antique?

A cup once broken cannot be mended. True. Try what may, you can never get back the original cup. Attach however you please, it will be unfit for further use (as a cup).

But, an attached cup has a lot of significance.

For one, it is important enough for someone to collect the shattered pieces and attach them.

It is the existence of the cup that is given a higher priority, not for its use (as it is rendered unusable).

Its value as an object increases manifold.

And more oft than not, it gets shifted from the kitchen cupboard to the showcase [:)] (though, that is not to showcase the importance of the cup, but the handiwork of your glue).

So, a broken and attached cup should not be discarded as useless. Someone actually put it back together. It means something to someone. That must be respected, shouldn't it?

Which One is It?

I have always wondered -

Everyone heard the legendary tale of the "never giving up spider" which tried and tried and tried till it succeeded in making a web of some kind, which taught everyone exactly what it did - try, try and try till you succeed. So, we should never give up, and keep trying, right?

Then again, people who, after having lost fair and square, get up and continue to fight are called "sore losers" who cannot accept defeat honorably. So, we should honorably accept defeat, right?

Now, what should one do? If one fell, should they just accept defeat (honorably) and move on? Or should one try again (like the spider)?

Well, not that I haven't given it any thought. I would like to settle on - accept defeat in the match (honorably), learn from your mistakes, prepare for the next encounter, and then face the challenge forgetting the past failure as a discouraging fact, but remembering it as a lesson to ensure success (hopefully) this time.

Nice, sounds promising, seems acceptable. But, can it be applied to any part of life?

If it were a football match (Ref. Hungry Heart - Wild Striker, my all time favorite anime), yes, accept defeat, go back, practice, train, there is always a next tournament, where you can win.

But, if it was a life or death situation, or a one time opportunity, you can probably learn, but you won't have a second chance. So, no question of trying again.

What about the ones where there is no clear cut distinction between one trial and another? What if the same thing can be taken to be a next fresh attempt as well as a drag of the previous fall? How do you know, then, if you are being an optimistic never giving up spider or just a sore loser? Can you ever know? Is it an absolute? Or will it just be an opinion?

The Greatest Sin

No prizes for guessing - Chocolate Fantasy!

The soft chocolate cake, the molten chocolate on top (and sides and on the plate too) - yumm! Each bite is so delicious, so rich of chocolate that it leaves me craving for more even after licking (shamelessly) the last remains off the plate.

Ever since I've had access to this wonderful delicacy, I've been attracted to CCD and went there every single day with my hands outstretched and eyes rolling, zombie like, chanting "chocolate fantasy, chocolate fantasy".

But today, alas, I couldn't quench my thirst. And its too late now, to do anything. So, I dedicate this post to the one I couldn't eat today, promising I won't fail tomorrow.

Posted on:
Saturday, January 23rd, 2010; 11:00 P.M.

The Light of My Life

I opened my eyes ..

I saw a light .. Very bright .. So bright, it blinded me ..

I blinked my eyes .. But everything was pure white .. Couldn't even see my own hands ..

If I can't see anything, can I call it darkness??

What do I thank it for, then?

For plunging me into a darkness no light can ever dispel??