May 09, 2007

The Eagle Story

The eagle has the longest life-span of its’ species. It can live up to 70 years. But to reach this age, the eagle must make a hard decision.

In its’ 40s. Its’ long and flexible talons can no longer grab prey which serves as food. Its’ long and sharp beak becomes bent. Its’ old-aged and heavy wings, due to their thick feathers, become stuck to its’ chest and make it difficult to fly.

Then, the eagle is left with only two options: die or go through a painful process of change which lasts 150 days.

The process requires that the eagle fly to a mountain top and sit on its’ nest. There the eagle knocks its’ beak against a rock until it plucks it out. After plucking it out, the eagle will wait for a new beak to grow back and then it will pluck out its’ talons. When its’ new talons grow back, the eagle starts plucking its’ old-aged feathers.

And after five months, the eagle takes its’ famous flight of rebirth and lives for... 30 more years

Why is change needed? Many times, in order to survive we have to start a change process. We sometimes need to get rid of old memories, habits and other past traditions. Only freed from past burdens, can we take advantage of the present.

PS: There are flaws in the story. E.g. Eagle doesn't have a life span of 70 years. It cannot live that long in the wild. Nevertheless the story has come out beautifully with one single important message: Change or Perish!

Courtesy Fwded mail

No comments: