The Tiger and The Donkey

This is a story that has been told for centuries and has been useful to reinforce in us the belief that certain discussions are not worth it.

The story goes that a donkey tells a tiger that the grass is blue!

“No,” replies the tiger, “the grass is green!”

“Blue!” the donkey said.

“Green!” the tiger said.

“Blue!!!” the donkey said.

“The grass is green, you donkey!” replies the tiger.

“Blue, you animal!!!”

The discussion became heavy and they decided to resort to the Lion King to arbitrate the dispute.

Well before reaching the clearing where the lion was resting, the donkey began to shout “Your Majesty, the grass is blue, isn’t it blue, the grass, Your Majesty?”.

The lion replies “Yes, the grass is blue!”.

Then the donkey says “Your Majesty, the tiger has been bothering me because of this, what punishment will you give him?”

“The tiger will be punished with five years of silence,” says the lion, King of the Jungle.

The donkey rejoices and, bouncing with glee, continues on its way repeating tirelessly “The grass is blue, blue-ue-ue…”

The tiger accepts the punishment, but asks the lion “Your Highness why do you punish me? Isn’t the grass green after all?”

The lion tells him “Yes, the grass is green.”

“Why do you punish me, then?” asks the tiger.

Explains the lion:

“You deserve punishment because it’s absurd to see a formidable creature like you waste time and energy arguing with a donkey.”

“Do not answer the stupid one according to his foolishness, so that you do not put yourself on his level.” (Proverbs 26:4)

Sometimes we waste a lot of time trying to convince someone that this or that is better for them, but our effort ends up being in vain if the person is not willing to listen to us.

We end up frustrated by not seeing results and we can make the mistake of thinking that we are not being good enough, when it is not true. This also applies to our students.

It’s no use keeping a study of someone who is just consuming your time, who doesn’t show appreciation for what is learning. You could be using this time to find and teach those who really want it.

The same goes for return visits, friendships… You have a friend who always has dubious opinions or enjoys worldly diversions. If you have warned him several times about his behavior and nothing has changed, is it beneficial for you to continue joining with him?

This story of the tiger and the donkey make us think about where we are putting our time.

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