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The voice sounded like a mature woman's own.

 "Oh, I'm sorry to disturb, madam. I'll call later." 

About thirty minutes later, I called again. 

This time, Sharon picked it. "Big Aunty told me you called minutes ago," she started. "How are you?" 

"Fine. I called to find out how you are too."

 "I'm fine. Thanks for calling." 

We chatted a bit more before cutting the line. My mind went to Precious. Shouldn't I try to see her mother as soon as possible? I could go to their church the following day to worship. 

After the Sunday service, I would see her. That Saturday afternoon, I was watching a live football match when my phone rang. I picked it up almost immediately. 

"Good afternoon," I greeted.

 "Send the account number to me  and send it right away so I can do transfer." 

Before I could say anything, the line was disconnected. I was bemused by the caller. I wasn't expecting any payment from any body, so I ignored the message. 

After about seven minutes, another call came through. 

"What are you waiting for?Why the delay? Send the account number and bank right now." 

It was the same woman.

 "Excuse me ..."

The voice sounded like a mature woman's own.

 "Oh, I'm sorry to disturb, madam. I'll call later." 

About thirty minutes later, I called again. 

This time, Sharon picked it. "Big Aunty told me you called minutes ago," she started. "How are you?" 

"Fine. I called to find out how you are too."

 "I'm fine. Thanks for calling." 

We chatted a bit more before cutting the line. My mind went to Precious. Shouldn't I try to see her mother as soon as possible? I could go to their church the following day to worship. 

After the Sunday service, I would see her. That Saturday afternoon, I was watching a live football match when my phone rang. I picked it up almost immediately. 

"Good afternoon," I greeted.

 "Send the account number to me  and send it right away so I can do transfer." 

Before I could say anything, the line was disconnected. I was bemused by the caller. I wasn't expecting any payment from any body, so I ignored the message. 

After about seven minutes, another call came through. 

"What are you waiting for?Why the delay? Send the account number and bank right now." 

It was the same woman.

 "Excuse me ..."

Glory glory Lord

We give You glory Lord

Glory glory Lord

You are the mighty God.

I was surprised at the extent of her bitternes. "If you had watched a bit more, you would have seen that the whole thing did not go beyond the hug."

 She looked away. I could see that she did not believe me. 

I had to go. "Okay, Sharon. Goodnight."

 She didn't say a word as I left. I went back to my room. What a day it had been. I tried to put Sharon's tantrums off my mind. How wrong she was. I soon slept off.

 Friday was the third and final day of the workshop. Once again, Rose was nice to me, while Sharon continued to sulk. After the second presentation, we were given certification. 

Rose gave us a valise each to pack our clothes. By four p.m., I was set to leave the place. Despite her reservations, I exchanged telephone numbers with Sharon. 

It had been a worthwhile experience after all. I got back to my residence some minutes past seven p.m. It looked like I had left he house several weeks ago. 

That weekend, I could not visit Precious's mum as I had planned. 

On Monday morning, I started work at FGC headquarters at Ikeja. There, I submitted my letter of acceptance of job offer. I was posted to the Media department while Sharon was posted to the PR department. 

From my first day at work, I could tell that it was going to be a fulfilling work. The official working hours were eight a.m to five p.m. I was punctual to work as usual. 

On Wednesday afternoon, Sharon came to see me in the office I shared with a colleague. It was break hour and the colleague was not in the office. 

"I want to apologize for the way I behaved and talked to you the other time," Sharon said. "I overreacted. Sorry about it." 

I smiled to play it down. "It's okay, we all make mistakes." 

We talked briefly about the challenges of our new work before she left. Later that evening, Rose also called. She wanted to know how I was faring on my new job. 

She still thanked me for the other time and professed that I was a special man. I told her to God be the glory. 

On Saturday, I decided to  rest indoor. 

On instinct, around eleven in the morning, I decided to call Sharon. Her number rang many times before it was finally picked.

 "Hello, Sharon. This is Seyi on the line." 

There was a pause. "Sharon is not around. She just stepped out to buy something but did not take her phone along." 

The voice sounded like a mature woman's own.

I was surprised at the extent of her bitternes. "If you had watched a bit more, you would have seen that the whole thing did not go beyond the hug."

 She looked away. I could see that she did not believe me. 

I had to go. "Okay, Sharon. Goodnight."

 She didn't say a word as I left. I went back to my room. What a day it had been. I tried to put Sharon's tantrums off my mind. How wrong she was. I soon slept off.

 Friday was the third and final day of the workshop. Once again, Rose was nice to me, while Sharon continued to sulk. After the second presentation, we were given certification. 

Rose gave us a valise each to pack our clothes. By four p.m., I was set to leave the place. Despite her reservations, I exchanged telephone numbers with Sharon. 

It had been a worthwhile experience after all. I got back to my residence some minutes past seven p.m. It looked like I had left he house several weeks ago. 

That weekend, I could not visit Precious's mum as I had planned. 

On Monday morning, I started work at FGC headquarters at Ikeja. There, I submitted my letter of acceptance of job offer. I was posted to the Media department while Sharon was posted to the PR department. 

From my first day at work, I could tell that it was going to be a fulfilling work. The official working hours were eight a.m to five p.m. I was punctual to work as usual. 

On Wednesday afternoon, Sharon came to see me in the office I shared with a colleague. It was break hour and the colleague was not in the office. 

"I want to apologize for the way I behaved and talked to you the other time," Sharon said. "I overreacted. Sorry about it." 

I smiled to play it down. "It's okay, we all make mistakes." 

We talked briefly about the challenges of our new work before she left. Later that evening, Rose also called. She wanted to know how I was faring on my new job. 

She still thanked me for the other time and professed that I was a special man. I told her to God be the glory. 

On Saturday, I decided to  rest indoor. 

On instinct, around eleven in the morning, I decided to call Sharon. Her number rang many times before it was finally picked.

 "Hello, Sharon. This is Seyi on the line." 

There was a pause. "Sharon is not around. She just stepped out to buy something but did not take her phone along." 

The voice sounded like a mature woman's own.

O se mi l'anu.

Ma pologo re.

Oba to semi l'anu

Eh, eh, ah ah,

Ma pologo re.

She moved to the door.

 "Goodnight, Seyi." I nodded. "Good night, sister."  


*  *   

 I woke up on Thurday morning early as usual. I took my bath and dressed up in one of the clothes bought for me. By eight, Rose came around with a tray containing tea, coffee, fruit juice and digestive. 

"Good morning. Here's light meal for you." 

"Good morning, sister. How was your night?" She smiled. "Fine. Thanks for yesterday." 

"We thank God." 

I took the digestive and the pineapple juice. Many minutes later, she came to take the tray away. Our work-  shop started in earnest. 

The woman that came the previous day was around to present the first paper. This time around, she talked about Work Ethics. 

Thereafter, the routine continued. I noticed that Sharon barely looked at my side. During break when I asked if all was well with her, she answered curtly that there was no problem. 

She also appeared moody during the afternoon session. In the early part of the evening, she did not come around to my room, so I decided to pay her a visit in hers.

 When she saw that I was the one at the door, she neither shoo me off nor invited me inside. I entered nonetheless. 

"Will it not be better if you tell me what's bothering you?" I said gently. 

"Nothing is bothering me," she mumbled. 

"Really? But this is not the same Sharon I knew yesterday." 

She sat on the bed without saying a word. I could see that the room was the size of the one given to me, but the arrangement was different. 

I sighed. "Can we play scrabble?" I asked. 

She shook her head. I chuckled. She obviously  didn't want my company.

 "Okay, I can see that you are not in the mood. See you another time."

 I moved towards the door to take my leave. 

"How was she?" Sharon asked. 

I stopped to turn to her. "How was who?" She snickered.

 "You know who I'm talking about."

 I shook my head vehemently. "No, I don't know who you're talking about."

 She glared at me. "Did you have her all night long? Was Aunty Rose sweet?" 

Now I knew what she was talking about. I opened my mouth in awe.

 "Oh, you're surprised that I knew? Don't be. I came to your room to find the two of you in a love tango, hugging, kissing and romancing each other."

 Wow, so Sharon actually saw something. But then, she missed the point. I shook my head. 

"You're right we hugged, but there was never anything like kissing and romancing her." 

"Tell that to the marines," she scoffed. 

I was exasperated. How could I convince her that Rose was like a sister? How could I ...? 

"Why don't you go and meet her? Why are you here? You call yourself a Christian, but you grabbed  the sexy body of the first woman that threw herself at you."

 I was surprised at the extent of her bitterness. "If you had watched a bit more, you would have seen that the whole thing did not go beyond the hug."

She moved to the door.

 "Goodnight, Seyi." I nodded. "Good night, sister."  


*  *   

 I woke up on Thurday morning early as usual. I took my bath and dressed up in one of the clothes bought for me. By eight, Rose came around with a tray containing tea, coffee, fruit juice and digestive. 

"Good morning. Here's light meal for you." 

"Good morning, sister. How was your night?" She smiled. "Fine. Thanks for yesterday." 

"We thank God." 

I took the digestive and the pineapple juice. Many minutes later, she came to take the tray away. Our work-  shop started in earnest. 

The woman that came the previous day was around to present the first paper. This time around, she talked about Work Ethics. 

Thereafter, the routine continued. I noticed that Sharon barely looked at my side. During break when I asked if all was well with her, she answered curtly that there was no problem. 

She also appeared moody during the afternoon session. In the early part of the evening, she did not come around to my room, so I decided to pay her a visit in hers.

 When she saw that I was the one at the door, she neither shoo me off nor invited me inside. I entered nonetheless. 

"Will it not be better if you tell me what's bothering you?" I said gently. 

"Nothing is bothering me," she mumbled. 

"Really? But this is not the same Sharon I knew yesterday." 

She sat on the bed without saying a word. I could see that the room was the size of the one given to me, but the arrangement was different. 

I sighed. "Can we play scrabble?" I asked. 

She shook her head. I chuckled. She obviously  didn't want my company.

 "Okay, I can see that you are not in the mood. See you another time."

 I moved towards the door to take my leave. 

"How was she?" Sharon asked. 

I stopped to turn to her. "How was who?" She snickered.

 "You know who I'm talking about."

 I shook my head vehemently. "No, I don't know who you're talking about."

 She glared at me. "Did you have her all night long? Was Aunty Rose sweet?" 

Now I knew what she was talking about. I opened my mouth in awe.

 "Oh, you're surprised that I knew? Don't be. I came to your room to find the two of you in a love tango, hugging, kissing and romancing each other."

 Wow, so Sharon actually saw something. But then, she missed the point. I shook my head. 

"You're right we hugged, but there was never anything like kissing and romancing her." 

"Tell that to the marines," she scoffed. 

I was exasperated. How could I convince her that Rose was like a sister? How could I ...? 

"Why don't you go and meet her? Why are you here? You call yourself a Christian, but you grabbed  the sexy body of the first woman that threw herself at you."

 I was surprised at the extent of her bitterness. "If you had watched a bit more, you would have seen that the whole thing did not go beyond the hug."

.

12. Don’t judge others before you know them

“A 24 year old boy seeing out from the train’s window shouted…

‘Dad, look the trees are going behind!’
Dad smiled and a young couple sitting nearby, looked at the 24 year old’s childish behavior with pity, suddenly he again exclaimed…

‘Dad, look the clouds are running with us!’

The couple couldn’t resist and said to the old man…

‘Why don’t you take your son to a good doctor?’

The old man smiled and said…’I did and we are just coming from the hospital, my son was blind from birth, he just got his eyes today.’

Every single person on the planet has a story. Don’t judge people before you truly know them. The truth might surprise you.”








13. Think outside of the box

“In a small Italian town, hundreds of years ago, a small business owner owed a large sum of money to a loan-shark. The loan-shark was a very old, unattractive looking guy that just so happened to fancy the business owner’s daughter.

He decided to offer the businessman a deal that would completely wipe out the debt he owed him. However, the catch was that we would only wipe out the debt if he could marry the businessman’s daughter. Needless to say, this proposal was met with a look of disgust.

The loan-shark said that he would place two pebbles into a bag, one white and one black.

The daughter would then have to reach into the bag and pick out a pebble. If it was black, the debt would be wiped, but the loan-shark would then marry her. If it was white, the debt would also be wiped, but the daughter wouldn’t have to marry the loan-shark.

Standing on a pebble-strewn path in the businessman’s garden, the loan-shark bent over and picked up two pebbles. Whilst he was picking them up, the daughter noticed that he’d picked up two black pebbles and placed them both into the bag.

He then asked the daughter to reach into the bag and pick one.

The daughter naturally had three choices as to what she could have done:

Refuse to pick a pebble from the bag.
Take both pebbles out of the bag and expose the loan-shark for cheating.
Pick a pebble from the bag fully well knowing it was black and sacrifice herself for her father’s freedom.
She drew out a pebble from the bag, and before looking at it ‘accidentally’ dropped it into the midst of the other pebbles. She said to the loan-shark;

‘Oh, how clumsy of me. Never mind, if you look into the bag for the one that is left, you will be able to tell which pebble I picked.’

The pebble left in the bag is obviously black, and seeing as the loan-shark didn’t want to be exposed, he had to play along as if the pebble the daughter dropped was white, and clear her father’s debt.”

Source: https://store.okadabooks.com/book/about/a-new-dawn/54247

12. Don’t judge others before you know them

“A 24 year old boy seeing out from the train’s window shouted…

‘Dad, look the trees are going behind!’
Dad smiled and a young couple sitting nearby, looked at the 24 year old’s childish behavior with pity, suddenly he again exclaimed…

‘Dad, look the clouds are running with us!’

The couple couldn’t resist and said to the old man…

‘Why don’t you take your son to a good doctor?’

The old man smiled and said…’I did and we are just coming from the hospital, my son was blind from birth, he just got his eyes today.’

Every single person on the planet has a story. Don’t judge people before you truly know them. The truth might surprise you.”








13. Think outside of the box

“In a small Italian town, hundreds of years ago, a small business owner owed a large sum of money to a loan-shark. The loan-shark was a very old, unattractive looking guy that just so happened to fancy the business owner’s daughter.

He decided to offer the businessman a deal that would completely wipe out the debt he owed him. However, the catch was that we would only wipe out the debt if he could marry the businessman’s daughter. Needless to say, this proposal was met with a look of disgust.

The loan-shark said that he would place two pebbles into a bag, one white and one black.

The daughter would then have to reach into the bag and pick out a pebble. If it was black, the debt would be wiped, but the loan-shark would then marry her. If it was white, the debt would also be wiped, but the daughter wouldn’t have to marry the loan-shark.

Standing on a pebble-strewn path in the businessman’s garden, the loan-shark bent over and picked up two pebbles. Whilst he was picking them up, the daughter noticed that he’d picked up two black pebbles and placed them both into the bag.

He then asked the daughter to reach into the bag and pick one.

The daughter naturally had three choices as to what she could have done:

Refuse to pick a pebble from the bag.
Take both pebbles out of the bag and expose the loan-shark for cheating.
Pick a pebble from the bag fully well knowing it was black and sacrifice herself for her father’s freedom.
She drew out a pebble from the bag, and before looking at it ‘accidentally’ dropped it into the midst of the other pebbles. She said to the loan-shark;

‘Oh, how clumsy of me. Never mind, if you look into the bag for the one that is left, you will be able to tell which pebble I picked.’

The pebble left in the bag is obviously black, and seeing as the loan-shark didn’t want to be exposed, he had to play along as if the pebble the daughter dropped was white, and clear her father’s debt.”

Source: https://store.okadabooks.com/book/about/a-new-dawn/54247

Her voice became sad again. 

“It's alright, no need to get sad over it. Many other guys will still tell you, because that's what you are - beautiful and attractive. Someone saying that should gladden your heart, not depress it." 

She nodded. "Thanks." 

I held her left hand and gently rubbed the back of her palm. "I have a brotherly view about all this. All I've done so far is to take you like a sister - a senior sister. Is it okay for me to take you as a sister?" 

There was only a brief pause. "It's okay." I smiled at her. "Thanks for granting me that. Believe me, I will be a good brother and friend to you." 

I stopped to study her. She was attentive and sober. 

“As I said, don't let anything or anyone disturb your life or happiness. Whatever happens, we move on." 

She nodded. "Thanks so much, Seyi. I really appreciate." 

I nodded too. "That's the spirit. Now, give me a smile." 

I gently tickled her side. She giggled. I did it a little bit more and she laughed. 

That's the spirit," I repeated. "Thanks a lot. "Your words have really helped." 

She stood up and I followed suit. "Can you give me a hug?" She asked. 

“Why not? With all pleasure." 

I gave her the hug. She clung onto me tightly. It was  the longest hug I had ever had. I could the feel curviness of her body against mine. It was an enthralling scene and moment.

 By providence -yes, by providence - I had learnt not to be swayed by senses. I could conrol how my body reacted to what I saw or felt. 

I was man enough not to capitulate to the desires of the flesh. After what seemed like ages, she finally disengaged from me. 

"Seyi, thank you so much. I'll never forget this." 

I smiled and patted her. "To God be the glory." 

She moved to the door.

 "Goodnight, Seyi." I nodded. "Good night, sister."

Her voice became sad again. 

“It's alright, no need to get sad over it. Many other guys will still tell you, because that's what you are - beautiful and attractive. Someone saying that should gladden your heart, not depress it." 

She nodded. "Thanks." 

I held her left hand and gently rubbed the back of her palm. "I have a brotherly view about all this. All I've done so far is to take you like a sister - a senior sister. Is it okay for me to take you as a sister?" 

There was only a brief pause. "It's okay." I smiled at her. "Thanks for granting me that. Believe me, I will be a good brother and friend to you." 

I stopped to study her. She was attentive and sober. 

“As I said, don't let anything or anyone disturb your life or happiness. Whatever happens, we move on." 

She nodded. "Thanks so much, Seyi. I really appreciate." 

I nodded too. "That's the spirit. Now, give me a smile." 

I gently tickled her side. She giggled. I did it a little bit more and she laughed. 

That's the spirit," I repeated. "Thanks a lot. "Your words have really helped." 

She stood up and I followed suit. "Can you give me a hug?" She asked. 

“Why not? With all pleasure." 

I gave her the hug. She clung onto me tightly. It was  the longest hug I had ever had. I could the feel curviness of her body against mine. It was an enthralling scene and moment.

 By providence -yes, by providence - I had learnt not to be swayed by senses. I could conrol how my body reacted to what I saw or felt. 

I was man enough not to capitulate to the desires of the flesh. After what seemed like ages, she finally disengaged from me. 

"Seyi, thank you so much. I'll never forget this." 

I smiled and patted her. "To God be the glory." 

She moved to the door.

 "Goodnight, Seyi." I nodded. "Good night, sister."

.

10. Ignore the haters

“A group of frogs were traveling through the forest when two of them fell into a deep pit. When the other frogs saw how deep the pit was, they told the two frogs that there was no hope left for them.

However, the two frogs ignored their comrades and proceeded to try to jump out of the pit. However, despite their efforts, the group of frogs at the top of the pit were still saying that they should just give up as they’d never make it out.

Eventually, one of the frogs took heed of what the others were saying and he gave up, jumping even deeper to his death. The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could. Once again, the group of frogs yelled at him to stop the pain and to just die.

He ignored them, and jumped even harder and finally made it out. When he got out, the other frogs said, ‘Did you not hear us?’

The frog explained to them that he was deaf, and that he thought they were encouraging him the entire time.”







11. Even though you’re damaged, you still have value

“A popular speaker started off a seminar by holding up a $20 bill. A crowd of 200 had gathered to hear him speak. He asked, ‘Who would like this $20 bill?’

200 hands went up.

He said, ‘I am going to give this $20 to one of you but first, let me do this.’ He crumpled the bill up.

He then asked, ‘Who still wants it?’

All 200 hands were still raised.

‘Well,’ he replied, ‘What if I do this?’ Then he dropped the bill on the ground and stomped on it with his shoes.

He picked it up, and showed it to the crowd. The bill was all crumpled and dirty.

‘Now who still wants it?’

All the hands still went up.

‘My friends, I have just showed you a very important lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20. Many times in our lives, life crumples us and grinds us into the dirt. We make bad decisions or deal with poor circumstances.

We feel worthless. But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value. You are special – Don’t ever forget it!’












Source: https://store.okadabooks.com/book/about/a-new-dawn/54247[/quote]

10. Ignore the haters

“A group of frogs were traveling through the forest when two of them fell into a deep pit. When the other frogs saw how deep the pit was, they told the two frogs that there was no hope left for them.

However, the two frogs ignored their comrades and proceeded to try to jump out of the pit. However, despite their efforts, the group of frogs at the top of the pit were still saying that they should just give up as they’d never make it out.

Eventually, one of the frogs took heed of what the others were saying and he gave up, jumping even deeper to his death. The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could. Once again, the group of frogs yelled at him to stop the pain and to just die.

He ignored them, and jumped even harder and finally made it out. When he got out, the other frogs said, ‘Did you not hear us?’

The frog explained to them that he was deaf, and that he thought they were encouraging him the entire time.”







11. Even though you’re damaged, you still have value

“A popular speaker started off a seminar by holding up a $20 bill. A crowd of 200 had gathered to hear him speak. He asked, ‘Who would like this $20 bill?’

200 hands went up.

He said, ‘I am going to give this $20 to one of you but first, let me do this.’ He crumpled the bill up.

He then asked, ‘Who still wants it?’

All 200 hands were still raised.

‘Well,’ he replied, ‘What if I do this?’ Then he dropped the bill on the ground and stomped on it with his shoes.

He picked it up, and showed it to the crowd. The bill was all crumpled and dirty.

‘Now who still wants it?’

All the hands still went up.

‘My friends, I have just showed you a very important lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20. Many times in our lives, life crumples us and grinds us into the dirt. We make bad decisions or deal with poor circumstances.

We feel worthless. But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value. You are special – Don’t ever forget it!’












Source: https://store.okadabooks.com/book/about/a-new-dawn/54247[/quote]

6. Struggling will make you stronger

“Once upon a time, a man found a butterfly that was starting to hatch from its cocoon. He sat down and watched the butterfly for hours as it struggled to force itself through a tiny hole. Then, it suddenly stopped making progress and looked like it was stuck.

Therefore, the man decided to help the butterfly out. He took a pair of scissors and cut off the remaining bit of the cocoon. The butterfly then emerged easily, although it had a swollen body and small, shriveled wings.

The man thought nothing of it, and he sat there waiting for the wings to enlarge to support the butterfly. However, that never happened. The butterfly spent the rest of its life unable to fly, crawling around with small wings and a swollen body.

Despite the man’s kind heart, he didn’t understand that the restricting cocoon and the struggle needed by the butterfly to get itself through the small hole were God’s way of forcing fluid from the body of the butterfly into its wings to prepare itself for flying once it was free.”





7. Your reaction matters more than what happens to you

“Once upon a time a daughter complained to her father that her life was miserable and that she didn’t know how she was going to make it. She was tired of fighting and struggling all the time. It seemed just as one problem was solved, another one soon followed.

Her father, a chef, took her to the kitchen. He filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Once the three pots began to boil, he placed potatoes in one pot, eggs in the second pot, and ground coffee beans in the third pot.

He then let them sit and boil, without saying a word to his daughter. The daughter, moaned and impatiently waited, wondering what he was doing.

After twenty minutes he turned off the burners. He took the potatoes out of the pot and placed them in a bowl. He pulled the boiled eggs out and placed them in a bowl.

He then ladled the coffee out and placed it in a cup. Turning to her he asked. ‘Daughter, what do you see?’

‘Potatoes, eggs, and coffee,’ she hastily replied.

‘Look closer,’ he said, ‘and touch the potatoes.’ She did and noted that they were soft. He then asked her to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, he asked her to sip the coffee. Its rich aroma brought a smile to her face.

‘Father, what does this mean?’ she asked.

He then explained that the potatoes, the eggs and coffee beans had each faced the same adversity– the boiling water.

However, each one reacted differently.

The potato went in strong, hard, and unrelenting, but in boiling water, it became soft and weak.

The egg was fragile, with the thin outer shell protecting its liquid interior until it was put in the boiling water. Then the inside of the egg became hard.

However, the ground coffee beans were unique. After they were exposed to the boiling water, they changed the water and created something new.

‘Which are you,’ he asked his daughter. ‘When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a potato, an egg, or a coffee bean?’

6. Struggling will make you stronger

“Once upon a time, a man found a butterfly that was starting to hatch from its cocoon. He sat down and watched the butterfly for hours as it struggled to force itself through a tiny hole. Then, it suddenly stopped making progress and looked like it was stuck.

Therefore, the man decided to help the butterfly out. He took a pair of scissors and cut off the remaining bit of the cocoon. The butterfly then emerged easily, although it had a swollen body and small, shriveled wings.

The man thought nothing of it, and he sat there waiting for the wings to enlarge to support the butterfly. However, that never happened. The butterfly spent the rest of its life unable to fly, crawling around with small wings and a swollen body.

Despite the man’s kind heart, he didn’t understand that the restricting cocoon and the struggle needed by the butterfly to get itself through the small hole were God’s way of forcing fluid from the body of the butterfly into its wings to prepare itself for flying once it was free.”





7. Your reaction matters more than what happens to you

“Once upon a time a daughter complained to her father that her life was miserable and that she didn’t know how she was going to make it. She was tired of fighting and struggling all the time. It seemed just as one problem was solved, another one soon followed.

Her father, a chef, took her to the kitchen. He filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Once the three pots began to boil, he placed potatoes in one pot, eggs in the second pot, and ground coffee beans in the third pot.

He then let them sit and boil, without saying a word to his daughter. The daughter, moaned and impatiently waited, wondering what he was doing.

After twenty minutes he turned off the burners. He took the potatoes out of the pot and placed them in a bowl. He pulled the boiled eggs out and placed them in a bowl.

He then ladled the coffee out and placed it in a cup. Turning to her he asked. ‘Daughter, what do you see?’

‘Potatoes, eggs, and coffee,’ she hastily replied.

‘Look closer,’ he said, ‘and touch the potatoes.’ She did and noted that they were soft. He then asked her to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, he asked her to sip the coffee. Its rich aroma brought a smile to her face.

‘Father, what does this mean?’ she asked.

He then explained that the potatoes, the eggs and coffee beans had each faced the same adversity– the boiling water.

However, each one reacted differently.

The potato went in strong, hard, and unrelenting, but in boiling water, it became soft and weak.

The egg was fragile, with the thin outer shell protecting its liquid interior until it was put in the boiling water. Then the inside of the egg became hard.

However, the ground coffee beans were unique. After they were exposed to the boiling water, they changed the water and created something new.

‘Which are you,’ he asked his daughter. ‘When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a potato, an egg, or a coffee bean?’

I moved to her in concern.

'Sorry, but did I say anything that hurt you?' I asked in concern.

She stopped crying but still continued to snivel.

'If there's anything I've said or done that makes you feel bad, I'm sorry,' I offered.

After some seconds, she stopped the snivelling and raised the edge of the t-shirt she was wearing up to clean her face. If she had raised the cloth further even for half of an inch, I would have seen her breast. Was that act deliberate or coincidental?

'Are you alright?' I asked, not sure of what else to say.

'I'm alright,' she replied wanly and made to go.

But, I could sense that she was not really alright. As she made to pass me on her way out, I held her by the hand.

'I thought you actually came here to open up your mind to me,' I stated. 'You will not be helping yourself if you just walk away without telling me what made you cry.'

She paused and looked uncertainly at me. 'I cried because that was the same thing my boyfriend, well, ex-boyfriend, told me.'

I sighed. How emotional!

I moved to her in concern.

'Sorry, but did I say anything that hurt you?' I asked in concern.

She stopped crying but still continued to snivel.

'If there's anything I've said or done that makes you feel bad, I'm sorry,' I offered.

After some seconds, she stopped the snivelling and raised the edge of the t-shirt she was wearing up to clean her face. If she had raised the cloth further even for half of an inch, I would have seen her breast. Was that act deliberate or coincidental?

'Are you alright?' I asked, not sure of what else to say.

'I'm alright,' she replied wanly and made to go.

But, I could sense that she was not really alright. As she made to pass me on her way out, I held her by the hand.

'I thought you actually came here to open up your mind to me,' I stated. 'You will not be helping yourself if you just walk away without telling me what made you cry.'

She paused and looked uncertainly at me. 'I cried because that was the same thing my boyfriend, well, ex-boyfriend, told me.'

I sighed. How emotional!

The wise man smiled and said: ‘You can’t laugh at the same joke over and over. So why are you always crying about the same problem?'”






4. Damaged souls still have worth

“A shop owner placed a sign above his door that said: ‘Puppies For Sale.’

Signs like this always have a way of attracting young children, and to no surprise, a boy saw the sign and approached the owner; ‘How much are you going to sell the puppies for?’ he asked.

The store owner replied, ‘Anywhere from $30 to $50.’

The little boy pulled out some change from his pocket. ‘I have $2.37,’ he said. ‘Can I please look at them?’

The shop owner smiled and whistled. Out of the kennel came Lady, who ran down the aisle of his shop followed by five teeny, tiny balls of fur.

One puppy was lagging considerably behind. Immediately the little boy singled out the lagging, limping puppy and said, ‘What’s wrong with that little dog?’

The shop owner explained that the veterinarian had examined the little puppy and had discovered it didn’t have a hip socket. It would always limp. It would always be lame.

The little boy became excited. ‘That is the puppy that I want to buy.’

The shop owner said, ‘No, you don’t want to buy that little dog. If you really want him, I’ll just give him to you.’

The little boy got quite upset. He looked straight into the store owner’s eyes, pointing his finger, and said;

‘I don’t want you to give him to me. That little dog is worth every bit as much as all the other dogs and I’ll pay full price. In fact, I’ll give you $2.37 now, and 50 cents a month until I have him paid for.’

The shop owner countered, ‘You really don’t want to buy this little dog. He is never going to be able to run and jump and play with you like the other puppies.’

To his surprise, the little boy reached down and rolled up his pant leg to reveal a badly twisted, crippled left leg supported by a big metal brace. He looked up at the shop owner and softly replied, ‘Well, I don’t run so well myself, and the little puppy will need someone who understands!'”







5. Never let one failure from the past hold you back in the future

“As a man was passing the elephants, he suddenly stopped, confused by the fact that these huge creatures were being held by only a small rope tied to their front leg. No chains, no cages. It was obvious that the elephants could, at anytime, break away from their bonds but for some reason, they did not.

He saw a trainer nearby and asked why these animals just stood there and made no attempt to get away. ‘Well,’ trainer said, ‘when they are very young and much smaller we use the same size rope to tie them and, at that age, it’s enough to hold them. As they grow up, they are conditioned to believe they cannot break away. They believe the rope can still hold them, so they never try to break free.’

The man was amazed. These animals could at any time break free from their bonds but because they believed they couldn’t, they were stuck right where they were.”

Don’t insult the things you wish you could have

‘One afternoon, a fox was walking through the forest and spotted a bunch of grapes hanging from a lofty branch.

‘Just the thing to quench my thirst,’ he thought.

Taking a couple of steps back, the fox jumped and just missed the hanging grapes. The fox tried again but still failed to reach them.

Finally, giving up, the fox turned his nose up and said, ‘They’re probably sour anyway,’ and walked away.”
9. Be kind to others even if it hurts you

“In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less, a 10 year old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him.

‘How much is an ice cream sundae?’

’50 cents,’ replied the waitress.

The little boy pulled his hand out of his pocket and studied a number of coins in it.

‘How much is a dish of plain ice cream?’ he inquired. Some people were now waiting for a table and the waitress was a bit impatient.

’35 cents,’ she said brusquely.

The little boy again counted the coins. ‘I’ll have the plain ice cream,’ he said.

The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table and walked away. The boy finished the ice cream, paid the cashier and departed.

When the waitress came back, she began wiping down the table and then swallowed hard at what she saw.

There, placed neatly beside the empty dish, were 15 cents – her tip.”






Source: https://store.okadabooks.com/book/about/a-new-dawn/54247

Snowx:
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Nice one.