Doberman vs. The Panther

There is a story about an old Doberman who got lost while chasing a rabbit. He stopped for a few moments to get his bearings and he noticed a panther running towards him, licking his lips, anticipating a Doberman lunch. This old dog realized he was in danger and needed to act quickly.


He saw some bones on the ground, so he began chewing on them with his back to the cat. Just as the panther was about to leap, the old Doberman shouted, “Boy, that was one delicious panther! I wonder if there are any more around here?”


Hearing this, the young panther halted his attack in mid-air. A look of terror came over him, and he turned and ran away from the old Doberman until he reached some trees where he could hide. “That was close!” he said to himself. “That old Doberman nearly had me!”


A squirrel had been watching all the action from a nearby tree and he figured that he could trade this knowledge for protection. He hurried to the panther.


The squirrel excitedly told the panther everything that happened and together they formed a partnership. Obviously, the young panther was furious and said to his new friend, “Hop on and watch what’s going to happen to that conniving canine!”


The old Doberman saw the panther running back towards him with the squirrel riding on his back. He acted quickly and once again decided to sit down with his back towards his approaching attackers, all the while pretending he hadn’t seen them. Just when they got close enough to hear, the wise old Doberman yawned and said, “I wonder where that squirrel is? I sent him off an hour ago to bring me another panther!”


This Doberman knew that his survival depended on skills he had developed over a lifetime, in this case a strong intellect and courage to develop and implement a plan at a moment’s notice. The key for all of us, young and old alike, is to be able to recognize the challenges of life, then take effective action through preparation, planning, knowing our strengths, believing in ourselves, and having the confidence to try and try again.


Happy failing forward,

Calvert



PS Want to help your kids have less stress and more success at home and school? CLICK HERE to get a copy of our book, The Resiliency Toolkit: A Busy Parent’s Guide to Raising Happy, Confident, Successful Children.