Tell a story
- Kimberly Winters
- Jan 28
- 2 min read
A recent prompt from the Ultimate Blog Challenge is to share a story, it made me think of one I hear a lot in groups where self-development is a significant piece like business masterminds and even Toastmasters.
It's the story of the elephant and the rope. In the story a man walks by a circus and sees a large elephant tied to a small post so he asks the trainer why this big powerful elephant doesn't just break the rope. The trainer explains that he started tying the elephants to the ropes as babies, back then, the rope was strong enough to hold them in place so eventually, they stop trying to break free, even once they have grown so large that they could easily break the rope they don't bother.
If you look this story up online there is so much about learned helplessness...etc. and any time I hear someone tell this story they are so excited to show you how you are strong and capable, If you would just realize that you could break that rope too!
Do you know what I have heard every single time this story comes up? I hear a broken spirit, I hear cruelty, I hear the result of captivity. The perspective of this story is switched for me, it is not empowering at all. Have you ever heard this story? What did you take from it (if anything)?
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I love how you reminded us that stories don’t have to be big or polished to matter. Sometimes it’s just about telling the truth of a moment and letting it connect.
everytime I hear this story I see a beaten spirt that is accepting the status quo as the answer. So often we hold ourselves captive in situations because we just accept our circumstances.
I have heard this story and it makes me think of how as humans we are indoctrinated in so many different ways. All of the advertising we have seen our whole lives. Cellphones, the way news is presented and so many other ways. These have become our ropes and sometimes I wonder where we could be if we hadn't been trained from a very early age... It is something to consider with our children...
I have heard that story and to me it reminds me of teaching and training. Like a child we have to teach them early to do things and over time they can become great leaders.