Received this message via email today.
This story is great, a real eye opener, if only we can just remember it!
"It was the coldest winter ever - many animals died because of the cold. The porcupines, realizing the situation, decided to group together. This way they covered and protected themselves; but the quills of each one wounded their closest companions even though they gave off heat to each other.
After awhile they decided to distance themselves from each other and they began to die, alone and frozen.
So they had to make a choice: either accept the quills of their companions or disappear from the Earth.
Wisely, they decided to go back to being together. This way they learned to live with the little wounds that were caused by the close relationship with their companion, but the most important part of it, was the heat that came from the others. This way they were able to survive."
Moral of the story:
The best relationship is not the one that brings together perfect people, but when each individual learns to live with the imperfections of others and can admire the other person's good qualities.
14 comments:
Oh so true my dear friend. How do we teach that to the millions of humans on the planet? We are suppose to the higher intelligence, right? Thanks for sharing, and I love the sweet little photos. Smiles and hugs back to you!
Peggy,
I'm feeling too hermit-ish to want to do much of that lately.
I can see things and accept that is what is, yet I have no desire to participate.
Cooperation makes sense when it is healthy, though.
great lesson today, Peggy, and I LOVE your blog header photo, I've said that before.
That's wonderful, Peggy. And I love the new photo on your header - superb!
oh that porcupine is so cute and your story so wise. It puts things right back were they belong. We have to learn to get along and endure some prickles along the way to survive. Wonderful
So true.
I think true love is being able to do this, loving someone despite imperfections and shortcomings.
This is why I am still with Steve, even though he farts and leaves the seat up.
That is a lovely story about tolerance. And isn't that the cutest pic!!?
That picture on your header needs to be in a competition!
Beautiful fable and so true! Sometimes it seems accepting "the quills" are the whole point of being on earth. And can those baby porcupines be ANY cuter?
so much to learn from you, Peggy, I have become with age, so intolerant!
tha cute pic of the porcupine is an eye- opener!
I LOVE the fable of the Porcupine! The pictures ARE adorable - but are of baby hedgehogs. There is quite a big difference, including the fact that hedgehog quills are not harmful like a porcupine's - which can do quite a bit of damage & be inflict a good deal of pain. I would hate for the little hedgehogs to have to take the 'rap' for the porcupine's quills.
Thankyou friends for visiting and commenting and enjoying the porcupine story. I certainly love reading your comments.
Anonymous YOU are CORRECT these are pictures of a baby hedgehog!!!
Thank you for alerting me to the difference!
I didn't intend to overload you with new messages, but I HAVE to comment on this one, too. I actually gave up a friendship in recent years because it was more uncomfortable than comfortable. Sadly, a whole circle of friends disappeared along with that one. I've never been the best at building friendships, a bit of a hermit I guess. But your post reminds me that friendships can't be perfect because we're not perfect. I'll remember the fable of the porcupine.
Roban I am so pleased you are reading some of my old posts before I close my blog. It is giving my a chance to reflect and read through the comments again.
Friendships are as important to me as my family because I can choose my friends. I get quite sad when a friendship ends but I have come to realise it is not possible to keep everyone around for a lifetime.
I have learned to treasure my friends for each moment they are around.
Schopenhauer's Tale of the Hedgehogs with a good slant.
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