Why Leaders Read
In unexpected outcomes are life’s biggest inspirations and lessons.
My 8-year-old daughter read this short story. [Condensed for your speed reading.]
***
A monkey and a crocodile were thick friends. One day, the crocodile invited him home on the other side of river for a feast. The trusting monkey traveled on his back.
Halfway through, crocodile opened up, “I like you a lot, my friend. But my wife wants to eat your heart and I need to drown you.”
The quick-witted monkey replied, “Oh crocodile, wish you had told me about this earlier, I left my heart in the tree. Let us hurry back to the tree.” When they did, the monkey leapt out to safety.
****
I asked my daughter, “What did you learn from the story?” On a normal day, I was hoping to hear about the cleverness. On a lucky day — about presence of mind in adversity.
Instead, she shared this.
“Stand up for your friend.”
I asked her, “what made you say that?” She said, “Remember Chrysanthemum book we read in second grade. When Chrysanthemum’s classmates teased her about her name, her teacher stood up for her.”
The crocodile should have stood up for his friend when his wife asked for his heart.
On the surface, my daughters read two short stories. The interesting fact — one from Kevin Henkes award winning book and another from panchatantra tales from different part of the world.
Digging deeper, in my daughter’s answer, I understood why
- Nike founder Phil Knight so reveres his library that in it you have to take off your shoes and bow.
- Carlyle Group founder David Rubenstein reads dozens of books each week.
3. Elon Musk, when asked how he learned to build rockets, he said, “I read books.”
4. Bill Gates reads about 50 books per year.
I did google up on the moral of the story my daughter read. It read.
Don’t underestimate yourself. There are bigger fools in this world.
I chuckled. The essence of reading stories in full glory.
Different takeaways. Different perspectives. Elevation of thought. Multiplication of experience and connection of dots.
Don’t underestimate yourself. Keep Reading,
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