Fables from Boccaccio and Chaucer, Dr. John Aikin (1747-1822)
A goose who was plucking grass upon a common thought herself affronted by a horse who fed near her; and in hissing accents, thus addressed him: “I am certainly a more noble and perfect animal than you, for the whole range and extent of your faculties is confined to one element.”
“I can walk upon the ground as well as you; I have, besides, wings, with which I can raise myself in the air; and when I please, I can sport on ponds and lakes, and refresh myself in the cool waters. I enjoy the different powers of a bird, a fish and a quadruped.”
The horse, snorting somewhat disdainfully, replied: “It is true you inhabit three elements, but you make no very distinguished figure in any one of them. You fly, indeed; but your flight is so heavy and clumsy, that you have no right to put yourself on a level with the lark or the swallow.”
“You can swim on the surface of the waters, but you cannot live in them as fishes do; you cannot find your food in that element, nor glide smoothly along the bottom of the waves.”
“And when you walk, or rather waddle, upon the ground, with your broad feet and long neck stretched out, hissing at everyone who passes by, you bring upon yourself the derision of the beholders.”
“I confess that I am formed only to move upon the ground; but how graceful is my make! How well turned my limbs! How highly finished my whole body! How great my strength! how astonishing my speed! I had much rather be confined to one element, and be admired in that, than be a goose in all!”
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i think that’s what i need now. FOCUS. so i could decide on what i really want to do with my life. :)
Anybody can sympathize with the sufferings of a friend, but it requires a very fine nature to sympathize with a friend’s success.
One of the things that all successful people say is you need to be focused in order to do great things (or just to succeed in what you are doing).
From my own personal experience, they are right.
it’s too difficult sometimes to focus and so tempting to be a goose in all…. not the inspiration is what we lack; we lack the ability to remember …
thanks for reminding me :)
“Dr John Aikin
English doctor who studied in Scotland
Concerned advocacy of liberty of conscience
Devoted to Literary pursuits
Published series of volumes “Evenings at home” which were translated into almost every European language”
When I checked with Wikepedia again, I find something interesting about Geoffrey Chaucer ,” a poet, philosopher, bureaucrat, courtier, diplomat, best known for the unfinished “Canterbury tales”.
His name – derived from the French “Chausseur” shoemaker
During the 100 years war, in 1359,Edward III invaded France and Chaucer traveled with Lionel of Antwerp, 1st Duke of Clarence – as part of the English Army,Chaucer was captured in 1360 and was a prisoner of war. He was released when Edward contributed 16 pounds.
He was then thought to have traveled to France Spain and Flanders as a messenger and perhaps even going on a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela.
In 1373, he went to Italy and they think met with Boccaccio who introduced him to medieval Italian poetry.”
Reminds me of: Jack of all trades but master of none.
This is really very inspiring. Paulo`s magic works every time…what a way of telling common things in the most appealing and striking way.That is really a gift.mostly there are geese only around us posing as swans…horses are still thought about as beasts of burden!
focus – is an action in a moment and gains power when one moves with it from moment to moment.
being multi-talented is a gift from god that should be appreciated and have a chance to grow and not cut off from our life. the “action from moment to moment”, i.e., aka focus, can help to straighten out the life of a multi-talented person.
a good example for this is the goose: imagine when she goes on her migrating trips that goes over 1000s of miles … when she flies she does not walk and swim at the same time……
the little story shows me a communication full of arrogance and defense ….
so, why?
we all live on our little “petit-prince” planets … and each of our planets is a little universe on its own with its own beauty … as evolution shows: this personal universe does not need perfection.
mmm..i liek the story…and i believe in focus on one thing to be perfect and to know what is really in me..and what i want ..my main goal…and why i am alive…
but int he same time i dont understand how to focus in one thing and be perfect in …what if i have many things in me..things i want to reach ..things i want to do….all of them…i feel them in me…!!!! and i want to collect the data and knowledge about them all..!!!! am i not right to have the desire for that !!
i v to choose one career…one hobby…and do the maximum in them…or to smell all the scents of the flowers in the big garden we r in…and thank god for all that…not by seeing themonly..but by understand them as well..!!
mmm u made me confused….
thanks for the wonderfull story …
agree :o)
looking back in my life, I can see that a multi-talented creativity has been always in me but was heavily affected by cultural constraints and how people think that life and function in a society should be.
my curiosity worked for a long time unconsciously and actually kept those multi-talents alive.
whether I am “perfect” or successful based on society’s measures of status and money: no.
but the constraints to reach this aim came much more from me having a heavy psychological “spare luggage” and focusing on adapting to society than from being fragmented by those traits.
salam,
i think if you have many things , and you have knowledge about theme as you said why not !!!!! and in your society you can see many people have differnet talent. so it depends on you .
I loved your 30 sec read. Like Confucio said better to have one bird in a hand than 100 flying away, I prefer to be good at something, to be unique with my own rules than to have lots of skills and none of them at the same time. Thank you
Thus most of us (self included) is but a waddling goose in one simple trade, nor horse nor flying or swimming
Dearest Paulo, U R just magnificient. I totally agree, specialization and excellence in one thing is much better that doing lot of things with a low quality. “It is a matter of QUALITY not QUANTITY”, I always thought that.
Many thanks again for expressing my thoughts my unique favourite writer.
Luv from Egypt.
Yosra
yes we are unique with our gifts but also we should concentrate to be distinguished in what we excel,instead of diffusing our energy and exhausting it in different way without succeding any.
its so inspiring as always…its gug to b master in a single way dn struggle in every field of life and do nthn in particular…Dts wt great ppl do to let deir name shine in d world even aftr dey pass away…
Is it better to be the goose or the horse??You could compete and discipline your self to be a horse.After many years you look round but find your self not happy in your circumstance.You could float like a goose, different directions and experiences.After many years you could find your self unhappy in your circumstance.You meet the ‘now old’ horse after many years and you tell the horse..I wish I was like you… the horse smiles and thinks to him self…no, I wish I was the goose!People are different and should pursue happiness.The thing in life is to find yourself and really find what you want.It is not easy and most people do not really know themselves/what they want, even until they die.This is life!How beautiful it would be to live a life that a young person would say ‘I want to live a life like this man’ and an old man to say ‘ I wish I lived the life of this man’
*The two hourses of genghis Khan* (->Das Lied von 2 Pferden)
HATE IS EASY LOVES TAKES COURAGES*
DUNA I still miss you…but I can feel you strongly now! You’re around us and I’m so proude to be your s*heart!!!
The whole human society lacks FOCUS. “Don´t walk under a ladder”, “suffering is good for the soul”, “bad luck if a black cat crosses your way”, “number 13 is cursed”, and so on….And many will never question the truth or the authenticy of anything. We become dull in our heads, and this is what people in power wants us to be, because people who think deeply are very dangerous to their masters…”Geese or horse” we´re dull….
well that was really inspiring……the goose was jack of all and master of none..!!!
Aah but the goose forgot how much better it is the element of fire particularly in winter.
My friend Alex passed away yesterday. He did everything to contact you and maybe to change his mind. Thanks for your books, quotes, wisdom, but Alex now is in a different (hopefully better) world. All the best to you Paulo. You are a great person and many people are grateful for that.
Steven
Sorry to hear about your loss Steven … take care.
Love, Jojo.
hm, if all were equal, all were the same, how dull and boring life would be. Better stive for self-happiness instead of being compared whith others’…
Love
Demi
This short story reminds me of the prominent phrase which sums up the entire moral of the story “JACK OF ALL TRADES,MASTER OF NONE”.
A person who carries half knowledge in number of areas has a superficial knowledge. And such knowledge is worse than ignorance. And thats why its said at times ignorance is bliss.
And it also emphasizes on the fact that to excel in one field or area one has to be completely dedicated and committed towards that field. Be it in your personal life or professional life the sense of personal fulfillment comes from such an approach only with the visible rewarding results.
Hi, – Today I dont know if I am the goose or the horse , but sure am standing up ALONE for what I feel is right & best I can do . So need all the energies to help me get the truth to the surface & yeah this story sure will always keep on focused on my intent . Thanks for the enlightenment .
Paulo Coelho: A great and admired writer
Well, i think that this goose lacks self esteem! we must learn not to waste our time and effort comparing ourselves with others because then we won’t have enough strength to evolve and improve and be better and better everyday.
I always think that u should see beauty in everything and focus on it!
God bless
We are either a goose or a horse. Both are can be interchanged! So which would you rather be?
this story made me think which one is better. some kind of confusing. very similar to the things that i’ve been thinking about. i’m thinking of this thing even b4 i read this story. if its better to be good in everything or be the best on one thing. they both have their advantages but still i cant decide which one to pursue. the story confused me.
The most focused Person was Narcissus.
gooooooood!
hehehehehe!
Well, I don’t think Mr. Paulo Coelho was trying to compare anything here, he was only trying to convey a simple thought that you can not be master of all, it’s better to devote yourself to one of your passions rather than trying in vain every possible option.. And some people have blown a simple thought out of proportion.. nehow, i’m a big fan of you sir,
Hitesh
From India
Very nicely clarified! Thank you!
Mary from Los Angeles
The choice between being best in one or few aspect and good, but with divided priorities, is always in us…
a friend reminds me, and i’m so thankful i found her: “challenges can make you sharper. and when you’re down, there’s no other way but to go up. so just think of these problems as a way for you to go up and reach your goals.” –Max
Specialism (focusing on only one aspect) is a masculin trait (here I am not talking about gender, man or woman), this is why it is highly appreciated in our masculine world..
But we need both the masculine and feminine characters..
Anyway I think this goose was wrong in the first place because one cannot and shouldn’t compare geese to horses ;-)
I’m agree with Tarek,that there is feminine and masculine side in every body,but more than this , I think that many things u have information of or involved in make you become better quality person.And I’m not talikng about show off people,who know mabe just a word,but trying to convince you that they know fluently the language. I’m too would love to be professional in one thing and be on the top,but at the same time I have to know a lot of many other things if not professionally,but at some level to stay up-dated
thank you so much.
you would not believe how much your comment helped me to straighten out the deep sense of the story :o)
the most important thing is that in this world we are all made to be different. If we were all equal, the world woldn’t be as good as it is now.
In the Bible we are encouraged to run to be number one, or strive to become perfect, to use our talents, our gifts to the fullest.
Lately, I started reading an author who, believe it or not, has sold more copies than Paulo Coelho, Mr Dean Koontz. I borrowed 6 books by him in the library, and started reading the newest, a book called; ‘Odd Hour’.
So far, my first impression is clear. Paulo Coelho writes much better than Dean Koontz! Perhaps not grammatical sentences, or the number of contemporary English words, but his stories capture me as a reader, to a much larger degree, and Paulo’s use of deep meaning symbols, talking to the soul, is absent in Koontz novel. Honestly, the word; ‘Tedium’, came to my mind, reading ‘Odd Hour’, and I have problem reading on. Another main difference between the two authors is, Koontz, in the book I am reading, introduces such a large number of characters, it is hard to follow the main one, Odd Thomas. The entire text also, has a much darker color to it, and in my opinion lacks FOCUS, story line and the ability to keep my interest.
Well, I have decided to read these 6 books by Koontz. Now, I thank God, it is Paulo Coelho who is my favorite writer, and through his books we can share in a world soul which excused hope and joy & light.
It is so true that one has to focus on himself, to come to this point of recognizing its Beauty, its Personal Power, its wonderful Nature, Essence. Being able to have that same belief about oneself.
What I find sad is to hear that the horse has that knowledge, that awareness, but then comes to the goose and tells that he is more noble. He lacks humility. Once with that awareness of who we truly are, we then are able to come in relation “seeing” who the other is truly, and be able to share Light, be Light, guide the other to its beauty, personal power, wonderful nature, essence. And that comes when, even if there is many non complete elements, we can recognize at least forces, light of the other. I wonder how the story would have been if the horse would have first recognized that he was privileged, that goose, to be able to fly, swim and walk, and then coming back to him and telling how he, only being able to be on ground, had developed its skills, had become who he was and how he felt …
All that to say that I loved that story but felt sad about how one came in encounter with the other. Because in this word, for me, all is in the ordinary world comparaison, inferiority/superiority, something that when one decides to become who he is must get out of and will get out of. We are a fraternity. My hand needs all my fingers. My thumb is more powerful than my little finger and could talk like the horse. But then my thumb knows that in this Universe, the hand, he needs the other and that each have different forces and different actions but that together they accomplish the same intention.
Love to you, Jojo.
Very true!
I wish there was more people like you. Thank you for that thoughtful comment for all to see. All the best
Very truth
i am reminded of what my friend who calls herself star said once: an earthworm is as important as you and i, because without this earthworm the whole would not be whole
The perfect Team! combining all the elements () 3+1
How different would be our world, if the schools were designed to bring out the extraordinary in our kids, instead of trying to bring them to a common level in all subjects….
And how different it would be our world if we parents assigned to our kids tutors for the subjects in which they excel, not in the subjects in which they need extra help to approve….
I love that idea. Which is why I homeschooled. Being taught ro Dance to only on drummer is a failure in education.
This reminds me of the concept of multiple intelligences which we are encouraged to find in our students during our college years, but once we are in the “Real World” we are expected to measure every child with the same “Rule.” I agree with Marcos, we would live in the most wonderful and amazing world if we would allow and nurish each child’s special talent.
je suis heureux de dècouvrir l’existence de votre blog
focused
Hehe,i try not to be a goose too but now feel like i am!
At this point, the feeling is mutual! :D :D
Feel like most of my life i spent beening a goose!
Decided not to be one from this day on!
Join me! :))
Wishing you love and more focusing!
Ivana
Wow that was inspiring. Doesn’t matter if you do one thing. But be best in what you do….
oh poor little goose… but it’s true, the horse is very Majestic and beautiful, one of my favorite animals.
Thank you for sharing a wonderful story, and love the photo.
I love you!!
Kisses
xxoo
Hi Paulo
really good one, thanks for valuable thoughts.
You might have many gifts, but have to cultivate only one or two. Otherwise you’ll end up not excelling in any of them.
It’s true…. and a thoughtful story
I am sure thet the goose would love to be a horse. However, God made the goose and the horse. All the goose can do is be the best goose possible, that includes using all the elements that make up the goose. Otherwise the goose is defying its maker. Perhaps the horse misunderstood since the only voice the goose has is shreiking. It is useless to compare horses to geese.
And this picture …
The center, heart in all things.
Geese are geese, horses are horses and we, are Souls in a body.
Full of Gratitude and Joy today!
More Love, Jane xo
ha! the goose shouldn’t have brag! instead he should’ve enjoyed quietly or simply the thought of experiencing the three elements. But of course, it’s saddening because he’s not fully immersed into any one of them =(.
Beautiful story, thank you Paulo!!
God made me a Tigger-ish sort and Tiggers also have a purpose. So today, can smile and thank god (even though it’s not easy to be patient sometimes or for others to be patient with me).
And also, very thankful for the beauty in diversity, because otherwise, the world would not be the symphony that it is.
Love and Blessings, Jane xo
I thought both goose and horse have their own perfection each. And I am sure we all do to; we all are perfect in certain way :)
Todos nós temos um pouco de ganso,cavalo etc…
Todos nós vivemos em expectativa de aceitação pelo outro.
Todos nós necessitamos sermos: belos,fortes,rápidos,inteligentes.
Todos nós esquecemos que somos únicos. não podendo acrescentar uma vírgula que certamente nosso contexto de vida disvirtua-se. Nem muito ganso,nem pouco cavalo,peixe, sei lá. Todos nós temos que sermos apenas “EU”. isso é tudo!
Laura/Esperança
ESTE CUENTO NOS ENSEÑA LAS DOS FORMAS DE VIVIR UNA COMO DICE EL REFRÁN SER APRENDIZ DE TODO Y MAESTRILLO DE NADA COMO EL GANSO. Y OTRA TENER DEDICACIÓN A UNA SOLA Y HACERSE PROFESIONAL EN ESA MATERIA COMO EL CABALLO.
CREO QUE YO ESTOY APRENDIENDO A SER CABALLO Y HACIENDO EL GANSO DE VEZ EN CUANDO.
UN BESO PAULO
Look to home, Buddy!
What will we act like when we have obtained Cosmic Status, and we have more than Earthlings to gaze upon.?
It is time that we take our own Personal Power.
The Shift to heart-centered consciousness on planet Earth is not an option. It is happening regardless of anything anyone says or does. It’s a cosmic event that is bigger than the planet and bigger than our solar system. The Shift is happening and the New Reality will continue to emerge until it becomes simply, the Reality.
I am a Human, the Goose and the Horse will also Ascend.
So I iterate, for to Re-Iterate is redundant.
Look to Home, Buddy!
Thanks Paulo
Be Well
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