Teamwork

Once upon a time a farmer planted a peach tree in fertile soil.

Underneath the peach tree there lived a big earthworm, called a night crawler. It went through the soil by digging tunnels, and then using those tunnels to travel. It came up, usually at night and sometimes on wet rainy days, to eat the rotting leaves laying on top of the ground. It helped recycle the leaves by eating them and then turning them into castings to fertilize the soil. It went deep into the ground if the weather above was too hot or too cold.

Now the peach tree grew fast. Every Spring, it woke up. It had to bloom, grow leaves and bigger branches, and finally when it was old enough, have fruit by Summer. Else the farmer might chop it down. Then in the Fall when it got colder, its leaves would change color and fall onto the ground. It was dormant all Winter long.

As the peach tree grew, it found out how difficult it was to grow its roots directly into the hard dirt. It looked for an easier way. So it began to grow its roots into the tunnels the night crawler had made. As the tree grew, its roots also grew, and soon the night crawler's tunnels were plugged shut.

The night crawler could not come up for food. So, in order to stay alive and keep from starving, it had to dig more tunnels. It did not like to do this, because, night crawlers are sort of lazy.

And the peach tree didn't like shedding its leaves each Fall just before the cold Winter.

But do you know what?

They were both helping each other, and by doing this, they were actually helping themselves.

The peach tree had to shed its leaves which the earthworm ate and the earthworm's castings fed the peach tree.

And the earthworm had to dig more tunnels which allowed the peach tree to grow bigger so that in the Fall there were plenty of good leaves (and maybe a peach or two that the farmer missed) for the earthworm to eat.

"And they lived happily ever after."

This is a story: about how what you do may unknowingly help the people around you. It is also a story about gratitude, hard work and working together.

Have you ever wanted to say something, stand up for yourself or voice your view of things, but you just couldn’t seem to get the words out? Did it simply seem easier to “let it go”? While there is a time and place for compromises, there is also a time and place for making certain that you are heard. Even when you are willing to compromise, you should be able to express your feelings and thoughts on a subject. Sometimes, this requires being assertive, which is part of being able to communicate in a positive, meaningful way. Good communication is important to building strong, respectful relationships. How do you practice this kind of communication? Speak clearly and confidently. Say what you mean and mean what you say. Do so in a courteous way so others will not be “turned off” or think you have an “attitude”. Exercise the same respect you appreciate from others. Speak in a tone that conveys that you want to both understand and be understood. When you communicate in an honest, respectful and direct manner, everyone wins.

Once upon a time a farmer planted a peach tree in fertile soil.

Underneath the peach tree there lived a big earthworm, called a night crawler. It went through the soil by digging tunnels, and then using those tunnels to travel. It came up, usually at night and sometimes on wet rainy days, to eat the rotting leaves laying on top of the ground. It helped recycle the leaves by eating them and then turning them into castings to fertilize the soil. It went deep into the ground if the weather above was too hot or too cold.

Now the peach tree grew fast. Every Spring, it woke up. It had to bloom, grow leaves and bigger branches, and finally when it was old enough, have fruit by Summer. Else the farmer might chop it down. Then in the Fall when it got colder, its leaves would change color and fall onto the ground. It was dormant all Winter long.

As the peach tree grew, it found out how difficult it was to grow its roots directly into the hard dirt. It looked for an easier way. So it began to grow its roots into the tunnels the night crawler had made. As the tree grew, its roots also grew, and soon the night crawler's tunnels were plugged shut.

The night crawler could not come up for food. So, in order to stay alive and keep from starving, it had to dig more tunnels. It did not like to do this, because, night crawlers are sort of lazy.

And the peach tree didn't like shedding its leaves each Fall just before the cold Winter.

But do you know what?

They were both helping each other, and by doing this, they were actually helping themselves.

The peach tree had to shed its leaves which the earthworm ate and the earthworm's castings fed the peach tree.

And the earthworm had to dig more tunnels which allowed the peach tree to grow bigger so that in the Fall there were plenty of good leaves (and maybe a peach or two that the farmer missed) for the earthworm to eat.

"And they lived happily ever after."

This is a story: about how what you do may unknowingly help the people around you. It is also a story about gratitude, hard work and working together.

A young boy and his father were out for a walk and came across a huge boulder on the road. The curious little boy looked up at his father and asked, “Dad, do you think I can move that big boulder?” His father looked at his son thoughtfully and then answered, “If you use all your strength, I know you can.” So the little guy ran over, and straining and groaning, tried to move the huge rock, but of course, could not. Discouraged, he looked up at his father and said, “You’re wrong, Dad. I can’t do it.” To this his father replied, “Oh, but you didn’t use all your strength. You didn’t ask me to help you.” As the young boy discovered, you don’t have to face obstacles alone. Often we make the assumption that we can do all things alone, when in reality our strength comes from reaching out. When you can use a helping hand to “lift” an obstacle out of your path, you “double your strength” by asking for help and assistance.

There are two seas in Palestine. One is fresh, and fish are in it. Splashes of green adorn its banks. Trees spread their branches over it and stretch out their thirsty roots to sip of its healing waters.

…The River Jordon makes this sea with sparkling water from the hills. So it laughs in the sunshine. And men build their houses near to it, and birds their nests and every kind of life is happier because it is there.

The River Jordan flows on south into another sea.

Here is no splash of fish, no fluttering leaf, no song of birds, no children’s laughter. Travellers choose another route, unless on urgent business. The air hangs heavy above its water, and neither man nor beast nor fowl will drink.

What makes this mighty difference in these neighbor seas? Not the River Jordan. It empties the same good water into both. Not the soil in which they lie; not in the country round about.

This is the difference. The Sea of Galilee receives but does not keep the Jordan. For every drop that flows into it another drop flows out. The giving and receiving go on in equal measure.

The other sea is shrewder, hoarding its income jealously. It will not be tempted into any generous impulse. Every drop it gets, it keeps.

The Sea of Galilee gives and lives. This other sea gives nothing. It is named the Dead.

There are two kinds of people in this world. There are two seas in Palestine.

Bruce Barton

Once upon a time, an old man lived with his three sons in a village. The three sons were hard workers. Still, they quarrelled all the time. The old man tried a lot to unite them but he failed. Though the villagers appreciated their hard work and efforts, they made fun of them on their fights.

Months passed by and the old man fell sick. He told his sons to stay united, but they didn’t listen to him. So, he decided to teach them a practical lesson so that they would forget their differences and stay united.

The old man called his sons. He told them, “I will give you a bundle of sticks. Separate each stick and you will have to break each stick into two. The one who breaks the sticks quickly will be rewarded more.”

The sons agreed.

The old man gave a bundle of 10 sticks to each of them and asked them to break each stick into pieces. They broke the sticks into pieces in minutes.

And again they started to quarrel among themselves as to who came first.

The old man said, “Dear sons, the game is not over. Now I will give another bundle of sticks to each of you. You will have to break the sticks as a bundle, not as separate sticks.”

The sons agreed and tried to break the bundle of sticks. Though they tried their best, they could not break the bundle. They failed to complete the task.

The three sons reported their failure to their father.

The old man replied, “Dear sons, See! You could easily break the single sticks into pieces, but you were not able to break the bundle! So, if you stay united, nobody can do any harm to you. If you quarrel every time with your brothers, anyone can easily defeat you. I request you to stay united.”

The three sons understood the power of unity and promised their father that whatever be the situation, they would all stay together.

Moral: Unity is Strength!

As human beings, we’re not perfect,

And we’re not supposed to be.

But that’s not always an easy thing for us to realize.

The best we can do is to do the best we can,

Give it our all, and always give thanks.

We don’t make it alone in this world,

We’re lucky that there are people

Placed in our path to guide us,

Protect us, and touch our lives

So that we can get through it all…

One day at a time.

 -Julia Escobar

It was the district track meet – the one we had been training for all season, My foot still hadn’t healed from an earlier injury. As a matter of fact I had debated whether or not I should attend the meet, But there I was, preparing for the 3200 meter run.

“Ready…set..” The gun popped and we were off. The other girls darted ahead of me. I realised I was limping and felt humiliated as I fell farther and farther behind.

The first –place runner was two laps ahead of me when she crossed the finish line. “Hooray!” shouted the crowd. It was the loudest cheer I had ever heard at a meet.

“Maybe I should quit,” I thought as I limped on. “Those people don’t want to wait for me to finish this race.” Somehow, though, I decided to keep going. During the last two laps, I ran in pain and decided not to compete in track next year. It wouldn’t be worth it, even if my foot did heal. I could never beat the girl who lapped me twice.

When I finished, I heard a cheer – just as enthusiastic as the one I’d heard when the first girl passed the finish line. “What was that all about?” I asked myself. I turned around and sure enough, the boys were preparing for their race. “That must be it; they’re cheering for the boys.” 

I went straight to the bathroom where a girl bumped into me. “Wow, you’ve got courage!” she told me.

I thought, “Courage? She must be mistaking me for someone else. I just lost a race!”

“I would have never been able to finish those two miles if I were you. I would have quit on the first lap. What happened to your foot? We were cheering for you. Did you hear us?”

I couldn’t believe it. A complete stranger had been cheering for me – not because she wanted me to win, but because she wanted me to keep going and not give up. Suddenly I regained hope. I decided to stick with track next year. One girl saved my dream.

That day I learned two things:

First, a little kindness and confidence in people can make a great difference to them.

And second, strength and courage aren’t always measured in medals and victories. They are measured in struggles we overcome. The strongest people are not always the people who win, but the people who don’t give up when they lose.

I only dreamt that someday – perhaps as a senior – I will be able to win the race with a cheer as big as the one I got when I lost the race as a freshman.

-Ashley Hodgeson

When I was a small child , I was very selfish, always grabbing the best for myself. Slowly, everyone left me and I had no friends. I didn’t think it was my fault but I criticized others.

My father gave me 3 sentences to help me in life.

One day, my father cooked 2 bowls of noodles and put the 2 bowls on the table. One bowl had one egg on top and the other bowl did not have any egg on top. He said ”My child. You choose. Which bowl do you want”. Eggs were hard to come by those days! I only got to eat eggs during festivals or New Year. Of course I chose the bowl with egg! As we started eating. I was congratulating myself on my wise choice/decision and walloped up the egg. Then to my surprise as my father ate his noodles, there were TWO eggs at the bottom of his bowl beneath the noodles ! I regretted so much! And scolded myself for being too hasty in my decision. My father smiled and said to me, ”My child. You must remember what your eyes see may not be true. If you intend on taking advantage of people, you will end up losing!”

The next day, my father again cooked 2 bowls of noodles: one bowl with an egg on top and the other bowl with no egg on top. Again, he put the two bowls on the table and said to me, ”My child. You choose. Which bowl do you want?” This time I was smarter. I chose the bowl without any egg on top. To my surprise, as I separated the noodles on top, there was not even a single egg at the bottom of the bowl! Again my father smiled and said to me, ”My child, you must not always rely on experiences because sometimes, life can cheat you or play tricks on you. But you must not be too annoyed or sad, just treat this as learning a lesson .You cannot learn this from textbooks.

The third day, my father again cooked 2 bowls of noodles, again one bowl with an egg on top and the other bowl with no egg on top. He put the 2 bowls on the table and again said to me, ”My child. You choose. Which bowl do you want?”. This time, I told my father, ”Dad, you choose first. You are the head of the family and contributed the most to the family.”. My father did not decline and chose the bowl with one egg on top. I ate my bowl of noodles, sure in my heart that there was no egg inside the bowl. To my surprise, there were two eggs at the bottom of the bowl.

My father smiled at me with love in his eyes, ”My child, you must remember, when you think for the good of others, good things will always naturally happen to you !”