In yesterday’s blog, I gave you the following challenge:
THE PROBLEM:
Once upon a time, Fire, Water, and “X” were hiking deep in the woods.
The conversation turned to what they should do if they got separated from each other.
Fire said, “If we get separated, look for the smoke – that’s where you’ll find me.
Water said, “If we get separated, look for the green grass and flowers – that’s where you’ll find me.
“X” said, “You’d better not lose me because if you lose me you might never find me again.”
What is “X”?
THE SOLUTION:
I’ll tell you the answer in the form of a story.
From a recent book by Stephen M.R. Covey . . .
I think of a defining moment in the life of Alexander the Great, King of Macedonia.
King Darius III of Persia had offered 1,000 talents to anyone who would kill Alexander.
Alexander had contracted pneumonia and was near death.
The physicians were afraid to treat him because they thought he would not survive, and they were fearful that if he died they might be falsely accused of poisoning him and accepting Darius’s bribe.
But Philip, a friend and physician who had attended to Alexander since childhood, was willing to treat Alexander because he had confidence both in his medicine and also in Alexander’s friendship.
As historian H.A. Guerber relates:
When the fever was at it worst, [Philip] said he hoped to save the king by means of a strong medicine which he was going to prepare.
Just after Philip went out to brew this potion, Alexander received a letter which warned him to beware of his physician, as the man had been bribed by the Persian king, Darius III to poison him.
After reading the letter, Alexander slipped it under his pillow, and calmly waited for the return of his doctor.
When Philip brought the cup containing the promised remedy, Alexander took it in one hand, and gave him the letter with the other.
Then, while Philip was reading it, he [Alexander] drank every drop of the medicine.
When the physician saw the accusation, he turned deadly pale, and looked up at his master, who smilingly handed back the empty cup.
Alexander’s great trust in his doctor was fully justified; for the medicine cured him, and he was soon able to go on . . .
-- from The Speed of Trust by Stephen M.R. Covey
Get it?
“X” = TRUST
If you lose trust you might never find it again.
“Trust is like a vase . . . once it is broken, though you can fix it, the vase will never be the same again.” – author unknown
Rob Gilbert
