The way of the tiger

By Paulo Coelho

A man was walking through a forest when he saw a crippled fox. ‘I wonder how it manages to feed itself,’ he thought. At that moment, a tiger approached, carrying its prey in its mouth. The tiger ate its fill and left what remained for the fox.

‘If God helps the fox, he will help me too,’ the man thought. He went back home, shut himself up in his house and waited for the Heavens to bring him food.

Nothing happened. Just when he was becoming too weak to go out and work, an angel appeared.

‘Why did you decide to imitate the crippled fox?’ asked the angel. ‘Get out of bed, pick up your tools and follow the way of the tiger!’

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10 Responses to “The way of the tiger”


  1. 1 A.V.C.

    This is pure gold!

    Let’s all fulfil our individual potential and let universe evolve naturally, instead of trying to promote our idea of how universe should be.

    Let’s show some true faith!

  2. 2 Karen

    Perhaps the man was mapping out a way to not have an end up crippled like the Fox;) A way to have his house, food, and be the tiger too! Some people are sooo independent others couldn’t even fathom being them, not even for a day!:)

  3. 3 tom

    This story really touched me,

    To look after those who are less fortunate truly creates its own reward. In some ways, this reminds me of the communist ideal. Put in what you can and take out what you need, sadly this way of living does not work with money.

    A.V.C

    24 carrot !

    I believe in something called individual potential, that you were put on this earth to do what you could according to your potential. We arent given gifts so tghat they could be neglected, we must put them to use and reap the benefits, but not jsut for us, for the entire human race.

  4. 4 Saad

    This story remained me of the story of the man who wanted to spend his life praying only and keep his brother work and feed him. The Caliphate Omar, when he saw him and listened to his story, he beat him with a stick and said “go and work, the sky doesn’t rain gold”

    what we can learn from those two stories, is that people shouldn’t give up in their lives or rely on someone else to help them in everything they face, yet they should go and face the world and fight for their lives.

    Regards….

  5. 5 hildegarde

    What about the tigre that cries?

    Love
    All ways
    Hildegarde

  6. 6 Annie

    this story reminded me the song “the eye of the tiger” :)
    Chorus:
    It’s the eye of the tiger, it’s the cream of the fight
    Risin’ up to the challenge of our rival
    And the last known survivor stalks his prey in the night
    And he’s watchin’ us all in the eye of the tiger

    Risin’ up, straight to the top
    Have the guts, got the glory
    Went the distance, now I’m not gonna stop
    Just a man and his will to survive

    WILL TO SURVIVE..TO LIVE…WITH THE EYE OF THE TIGER
    Love to all of you

  7. 7 Tania

    God helps those who help themselves , one must be on the hunt like the tiger , not sitting around wishfull thinking . Create your life , if Joan of Arch could lead an army and go to war all before she was 18 then you should be able to get out of bed…Blessing Tania

  8. 8 Agnieszka

    That reminds of the story with the man on the sinking boat, who awaits God’s help…
    :-)
    If we’re not crippled, why would we expect someone to do the job for us?
    Nobody can nor should do it for us.
    We would never grow, evolve, become better if we would wait for others.
    Nobody can live our life, nobody can feel for us, it would be a waste of this great gift everybody received from God, and…we wouldn’t be happy anyway.
    Life has to be accepted with all advantages and disadvantages, with ups and downs.
    It wouldn’t be complete without it.
    Besides, when we conquer whatever comes up in our life, it’s like climbing a mountain, the satisfaction we feel at the top is…priceless.

    love
    Agnieszka

  9. 9 wanbliska

    Ok Sir. The way of the tiger is more exciting.

    Presently I’ve many directions to follow.
    I’m lost in the middle of nowhere, with many guideposts over there.

    I know where I am. I’m on a crossroad, I’ve been fleeing for months. And then, I get my map. It’s a little spoiled and gummed up, here and there.
    But now, I ask the Angel for some help.

    So It Be (O Best I)

    <3

  10. 10 Carol

    The crippled fox reminded me of a lot of people in society who are always waiting for other people (whether more fit or people with more resources) to help them. Whatever happened to “God helps those who helped themselves”?

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