A Parable on Perspective in the Southern Quote

Hey folks, we’re going to forego one of our traditional Southern Quotes, today. I want to share a parable with you instead. It’s not a Biblical parable. I love those, but I’m also fond of the everyday wisdom that gets handed down through the ages in story form. I’m talking about the kind of stories that can say things you might not otherwise receive. By the way, if today’s story reminds you of one of your favorite parables, I would love for you to share it with me. I always enjoy hearing from y’all. You can drop me a note through the contact button at the All Things Southern website—and of course, I’m on Facebook and my twitter handle is @Shelliet. And now, to our story. I remember hearing an old Chinese folktale once that spoke volumes to me about how easy it is to see in others what we choose to see. It went something like this…

Once upon a time a man lost his axe. He immediately decided that his neighbor’s son had probably stolen it.  Moments later, the boy came walking down the road. Just looking at the boy confirmed the older man’s suspicions. The kid looked like someone who would steal an axe. The man called the young boy over to ask him about his axe. The youth denied knowing anything about the missing tool, but the way he spoke and everything else about him suggested that he was guilty indeed. He sounded just like someone who would steal an axe.

Not long afterwards the man found his missing axe while digging a ditch in his own front yard. He was rejoicing over having his axe back when he saw the neighbor’s son approaching. The older man raised his arm and waved, thinking to himself that he had been quite silly. Nothing at all in that boy’s manners or actions looked like someone who might steal an axe…

Hugs, Shellie