The Saga of Will and Fern 621.1
Two frogs named Will and Fern weren’t looking where they were going and fell into a deep pit. At first they thought it would be easy to jump out, but after numerous failed attempts they were getting desperate. A crowd of animals gathered around the pit.
The consensus of the onlookers was there was no way either one could jump high enough, so they urged Will and Fern to accept their fate. The harder the trapped frogs jumped, the more the crowd yelled at them to surrender. Finally, Will fell back to the bottom and gave up. Fern refused to quit, and with one mighty last try she leaped out of the pit.
The other animals were amazed. One asked why she kept trying despite the discouraging taunts of the crowd. Fern was shocked. “What do you mean? I’m a bit deaf. I thought you were rooting for me. I couldn’t have done it without you.”
A woman named Patty, a resident of a transitional housing program, gave a printed version of this story to my wife Anne. After a long period of homelessness and drug abuse, Patty wanted us to understand that positivism and support can help people who seem down and out to get up and out.
Patty said she got out of her own deep pit of despair because caring people at the housing program gave her the faith and confidence she needed to jump a little harder.
There are lots of ways to help others. We can educate them, feed them, and house them. But we can also encourage and empower them – and possibly change their lives.
This is Michael Josephson reminding you that character counts.
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Comments
This commentary regarding encouragement is exactly the kind of story I needed to help someone else understand. I do much better when I am supported and encouraged rather than criticized or yelled at.
Posted by: Dotti | May 29, 2009 9:37 AM
Love the story of the two frogs. Reminds us what encouragement and faith can accomplish.
Posted by: Norma Monetti | June 5, 2009 7:18 AM
The frog story is a great way to combat NIMBYism (Not In My Backyard). In many communities across North America, social service advocates often want to gain re-zoning or permission to establish rehab programs, detox centers, halfway houses and other facilities in local neighborhoods to help individuals with difficulties.
Unfortunately, they often meet resistance from the neighbors. They cite many reasons, some based on fears, some based on stereotypes, some based on politics, and some just mean-spirited.
If such a facility is placed in the community, think how much better it would be for the inhabitants if the neighbors cheered and supported their struggle for recovery, sobriety, and overcoming addiction.
Posted by: Rey Carr | June 5, 2009 1:56 PM
Rey:
It must be nice to live in a black-and-white world. But sometimes things aren't so clear-cut. Do you want a halfway house for child molesters in your neighborhood? How about for recovering alcoholics convicted of DUI? Both groups show extremely high rates of recidivism. Yes, we should help people recover, but don't we have a greater responsibility to our children? Are you willing to sacrifice your family's safety just to prove a point? How about your neighbors' families? There is nothing wrong with common-sense zoning laws that can accommodate both rehab and community security.
Posted by: Mr T | June 24, 2009 1:40 PM