The donkey told the tiger:
—The grass is blue, tiger!
The tiger replied:
— No, the grass is green!
The discussion became heated, and the two decided to submit the issue to arbitration, and to do so they approached the lion. Before reaching the clearing in the forest where the lion was sitting on his throne, the donkey started screaming:
— Your Highness, isn’t it true that the grass is blue?
The lion replied:
— True, the grass is blue!
The donkey rushed forward and continued:
— ′The tiger disagrees with me and contradicts me and annoys me. Please punish him!
The king then declared:
— The tiger will be punished with 5 years of silence!
The donkey jumped with joy and went on his way, content and repeating:
— The grass is blue! The grass is blue!
The tiger accepted his punishment, but he asked the lion:
— Your Majesty, why have you punished me, after all, the grass is green?
The lion replied:
— In fact, the grass is green!
The tiger asked:
— So why do you punish me?
The lion replied:
— That has nothing to do with whether the grass is blue or green. The punishment is because it is not possible for a brave, intelligent creature like you to waste time arguing with a donkey, and on top of that to come and bother me with that question!
What the Short Story of the Donkey, the Tiger and the Lion are saying to us?
Are you tired of wasting precious time and energy on pointless discussions?
Do you find yourself constantly getting caught up in arguments with those who refuse to see reason?
It’s time to learn when to walk away from these types of conversations and focus on what truly matters.
Never waste time on discussions that make no sense. Don’t ever debate or argue with donkeys – It is better to leave them in their own world of fantasies.
But important: it does not mean that you should never have your own opinion well-structured and argue with the right people or participate in good discussions that will make your knowledge grow.
Yes, you should!
The lesson here is that it could be a waste of time arguing with the fool and fanatic who doesn’t care about truth or reality, but only the victory of his beliefs and illusions.
Picture this: you’re armed with a well-structured opinion, ready to dive into a lively debate with someone who shares your enthusiasm for exchanging ideas.
Sounds exhilarating, right?
Absolutely! Engaging in discussions that challenge your perspectives and expand your knowledge can be downright invigorating.
But here’s the catch: not every conversation is a fruitful endeavour.
There are times when you come across individuals who seem more interested in hearing themselves talk than in actually listening to what you have to say.
Now, before you start envisioning yourself having a heated debate with a literal donkey (which, let’s be honest, would make for an amusing story), let me clarify. When I talk about “arguing with donkeys,” I am referring to those moments when it feels like you’re trying to reason with someone who’s firmly planted in their own world of beliefs and illusions.
In such situations, it’s essential to recognize when to gracefully bow out of the conversation. Remember, your time and energy are precious commodities, and it’s perfectly okay to prioritize discussions that are more likely to be productive and enriching.
But here’s the silver lining: not all hope is lost! Far from it, actually. The key is to seek out conversations with like-minded individuals who are open to exploring different perspectives and engaging in constructive dialogue. These are the discussions that fuel intellectual growth and deepen our understanding of the world around us.
So, what’s the takeaway here? Engage wisely. Know when to dive head first into a stimulating conversation and when to gracefully exit stage left. Keep your mind open, your opinions well-structured, and your curiosity alive. And remember, it’s not about winning arguments; it’s about fostering mutual respect and understanding.
There are people around you that just need more information, help, or even knowledge, and you should help these people when it is possible
There are even other lessons we can learn from this story:
1 – It is important to have a neutral third party to settle disputes.
2 – Arguing with someone who is not open to reason or who is not on the same intellectual level as you is a waste of time.
3 – The punishment may not have anything to do with the issue being discussed, but rather with the behaviour of the individuals involved.
4 – It is essential to remember that one should not waste time on frivolous matters and should strive to act with intelligence and maturity.
5 – It is also critical to respect the authority and the decisions of a leader.
6 – One should not be arrogant and think that his opinion is always right and should always be respected without considering others’ points of view.
In conclusion, it’s essential to be selective in the battles we choose to fight.
Not every argument or discussion is worth our time and energy.
By being discerning in the fights we engage in, we can ensure that our efforts are well-directed and that we’re investing our time in meaningful exchanges that will ultimately benefit ourselves and those around us. Learning about Non-Violent Communication can be smart for you.
Remember, sometimes it’s better to walk away from a pointless discussion, but when a discussion or argument is needed and well deserved, it can help to enrich the conversation and bring growth to ourselves and others.
Be smart and strategic in the battles you decide to fight, and you’ll be able to make the most of your time and energy.
Try to fight only the good and smart fights, when a discussion or argument is needed, will be well deserved, and it will help/enrich the discussion or the other person.
I am incredibly grateful that you have taken the time to read this post.
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