Therefore, encourage one another,

and build up one another---

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NASB)

 

            The following story was a featured archive story on the Internet and shows how these children, by not putting themselves first, brought joy to all.: Ubuntu—I Am Because We Are:

            An anthropologist put a basket of fruit under a tree and told the children the first to reach the tree could have the basket. The signal was given, but there was no race. The children joined hands and walked to the tree together. When he asked why they did that when one of them could have had all of the contents their answer, in somewhat disbelief to the question, was How can we be happy, when the rest are miserable.

Tew, R. (2015, June 3). Ubuntu story. Live Life Happy. https://livelifehappy.com/stories/an-anthropologist-proposed-a-game-to-the-kids-in-an-african-tribe/

 

An Unforgettable Moment

That story reminded me of an experience years ago when my golden retriever, Tracker, seemingly without concern that he wouldn’t be the only one in the spotlight, shared the glory. Though friends, Tracker, and his neighbor and friend, another golden retriever, Bud. were different in nature. Unlike Bud, Tracker was an athletic and lived to play ball while Bud was more introspective.

            On that pleasant afternoon, the neighbors gathered around and visited while we threw balls for the two dogs.  As the game progressed, their differences were obvious. While Tracker would bound with intensity to catch the prizes, Bud would run in a somewhat ambling way not understanding he was to pick up a ball and return it.

            To clapping and praise Tracker continuously returned with two balls in his snout but Bud never held the prize.

 Someone in the group became critical of Bud’s lack of understanding. Is that what Tracker picked up on? I will never know, but as we once again threw the balls, I watched him as he rushed to pick up two balls, and then I saw a glorious thing happen. With his snout full, and also with Bud’s attention, Tracker pointed his nose at the bouncing ball, obvious, even to me, that he was telling Bud to pick it up.

This time both dogs, each holding a trophy and with tails held high and wagging, returned to praise and clapping. There was no more criticism. Bud now understood the game.

As I think back on that afternoon so long ago, I realize that Tracker, without fanfare, helped Bud to understand what he needed to do to be a winner. Being successful is fun, but helping another win and sharing the glory, increases the joy and happiness, thus making the world a better place.

I can’t count the times we threw balls for Tracker and this afternoon could have blended into a haze of memories. Instead, his helping his friend become a star made it an unforgettable moment.