“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” Leonardo da Vinci. Adopted by Steve Jobs.
________________________
A Shepherd discovered a nice fat Pig in the meadow.
The Shepherd caught the Pig, and the Pig squealed and kicked wildly as the Shepard carried him back to the farm.
The nearby Sheep saw the squealing Pig and became amused at the Pig’s sorry response.
A Sheep yelled to the Pig, “The Shepherd carries us off, but we are too ashamed to make such a fuss like you.”
“That may be,” squealed the Pig, “but he catches you for wool. He catches me for bacon!”
Moral of the Story: It is easy to be brave when there is no danger. Empathy leads to understanding.
________________________
Introduction – The Essential Aesop – Epilogue
________________________
Why We Loved It: This fable is more than just a reminder about criticism and judgment. This fable reminds us to be empathetic to the condition of others. It is one thing to be critical of a flawed characteristic regarding someone else, but, here, Aesop reminds us to step into the other context and to see that condition from within that context. To go to the other side, and turn around. Criticism sees the effect, empathy sees the cause.
Walk a Mile in His Moccasins (excerpt), Mary T. Lathrap, 1895
Pray, don’t find fault with the man that limps, Or stumbles along the road. Unless you have worn the moccasins he wears, Or stumbled beneath the same load. There may be tears in his soles that hurt, Though hidden away from view. The burden he bears placed on your back, May cause you to stumble and fall, too.
Don’t sneer at the man who is down today, Unless you have felt the same blow, That caused his fall or felt the shame, That only the fallen know. You may be strong, but still the blows, That were his, unknown to you in the same way, May cause you to stagger and fall, too.
Don’t be too harsh with the man that sins. Or pelt him with words, or stone, or disdain. Unless you are sure you have no sins of your own, And it’s only wisdom and love that your heart contains. For you know if the tempter’s voice, Should whisper as soft to you, As it did to him when he went astray, It might cause you to falter, too.
Just walk a mile in his moccasins, Before you abuse, criticize and accuse. If just for one hour, you could find a way, To see through his eyes, instead of your own muse.
________________________
© 2013 Arnold Zegarelli and Gregg Zegarelli, Esq. Gregg can be contacted through LinkedIn. Arnold Zegarelli can be contacted through Facebook.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/empathy-understanding-20-sheep-pig-essential-aesop-zegarelli-esq-
GRZ98_20 GRZUID98_20