Leading from the Middle

Caption: Ambrose Bierce and Another Pal. Microsoft Copilot, 2024

Two Dogs
The Dog, as created, had a rigid tail, but after some
centuries of a cheerless existence, unappreciated by Man, who
made him work for his living, he implored the Creator to endow
him with a wag.
This being done he was able to dissemble
his resentment with a sign of affection, and the earth was his
and the fulness thereof.
Observing this, the Politician (an animal created later) petitioned that a wag might be given him too.
As he was incaudate it was conferred upon his chin,
which he now wags with great profit and gratification except when he is at his meals.
The All Dog
A Lion seeing a Poodle fell into laughter at the ridiculous
spectacle.
Who ever saw so small a beast? he said.
It is very true, said the Poodle, with austere
dignity, that I am small; but, sir, I beg to observe that
I am all dog.
_______________
In an election year, on the Fourth of July, the wagging of political chins goes into overdrive. Pray that we are spared from any stemwinders of rousing rhetoric, or rambling blather.
I've known a bombast or two in the workplace. They really could talk.
Lacking was the ability to act.
It was often the taciturn, like the laconic Vermont farmer, who got stuff done without any need for blather. He or she went ahead and make improvements, large and small.
While I envied anyone able to speak for a few or more paragrpahs without repeating himself or winding down into repetition, I never acquired that skill.
Instead, I was OK for doing it and if it worked, well, OK. If not, so what?
Nothing ventured nothing gained.
Still superiors do admire the good talker.

*Source: FANTASTIC FABLES By AMBROSE BIERCE
New York and London:
G. P. PUTNAM?S SONS, The Knickerbocker Press 1899


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Copyright all text John Lubans 2024

 

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