Have you heard the Japanese folktale entitled "Motomoro"? Momotaro means "Peach Boy." Once upon a time, long long ago, an old woman finds a giant peach floating down a river. When she and her husband cut it open, a baby boy pops out.
The kind couple name him Momotaro, and bring him up lovingly. He grows up to be very strong and brave. As a young man, Momotaro leaves home to fight evil ogres on Onigashima (Island of Demons). His parents pack special millet dumplings (kibidango) for the tough trip.
On the way, he meets a dog, a monkey, and a pheasant. All of them are hungry. He shares his dumplings with them. In return, the animals agree to help him in his quest. The group reaches the island, and breaks into the ogre fortress.
The battle with the wicked ogres is less fierce and fearsome because Motomoro's friends share his travails. The dog bites the ogres' legs, the monkey scratches them, and the pheasant pecks at their eyes. Momotaro defeats the chief of the ogres. They take back the stolen treasure and return home rich and fulfilled. Momotaro and his family live a happy life.
Multiple versions of this folktale are available, with concessions being granted as per the country of origin. Why does the generous young hero in each version win the life defining battle? His victory is due to two basic qualities. To begin with, he does not suffer from any "attitude." He understands the needs of one-n-all, and reaches out even beyond species.
The second best quality is that he has thus acquired most naturally and normally friends who are willing to help. Such allies make the toughest job a child's game. The moral of the story is that if you are generous, you may meet friends n colleagues whose collaboration would make any job easy n fulfilling.
Pratima@ Our very own epic "Ramayana" is a great example of such an attitude. Lord Rama is the godhead incarnate. In this particular avataar, he is the prince of a powerful province. Yet he is humility personified.
He is friendly with everyone, man, beast, bird, even trees, if Bhavbhuti's "Uttara Ramcharit Manas" is some proof. No caste, no creed, no species stop him from forming friendships, Nishad Raj Guha, Rakshsa King Vibhishana, the monkey master Sugriva, Shabari, the little squirrel, the monkeys and the bears; the list is endless. Why, Lord Hanumanta becomes his right hand!
Lots of lessons for all to learn from the Ram Katha, right?
Quote of the day: "Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean." So says Ryunosuke Satoro, a famous and respected Japanese writer.
Word of the day: collaboration Collaboration means when two or more people or groups work together as a team to reach a shared goal, create something new, or solve a problem. It relies on open communication, sharing skills, and combining different ideas.
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