October 5, 2022 –
Aesop’s fable of “The Dog and His Bone” contains a lesson for personal success: when we are not content with what we have and grasp for more, we often lose what we have. The fable is about a dog that found a bone. He was so possessive of the bone he growled at anyone attempting to take it out of his mouth. The dog’s attitude was, “This one is mine!”
When the dog went to bury his prized possession, he happened upon a stream. As he looked into the water, he saw his reflection. Thinking it was another dog with a more significant bone, he growled at the reflection, and the dog’s reflection growled back. I want that bone, thought the greedy dog opening his mouth to grasp it. When he did, he lost the bone in his mouth to search for the more prominent bone that did not exist.
People are like that. They have shelter, food, and clothing; their basic needs are met. But when they see someone with a bigger house, eat at the finest restaurants, and wear designer clothes, they want the more important items.
The story of the dog losing his bone due to envy, grasped for the illusionary larger bone, shows an individual who, without thought, gives up what they have for the illusory bigger house, fine food, and stylish clothing. Some people enjoy where they live, the food they eat, and their clothes. Other people want to improve in all areas of their lives.
To get a bigger “bone,” stop wanting and start doing. Once you know your goal, act on it. The bottom line is, are you willing to go after the more significant bone? Too many people only want to want.