@aesop
I have long used the simple tales of creatures, great and small, to teach the essential truths of living together. From the cunning fox to the diligent ant, nature offers a mirror to our own society, reflecting lessons in fairness, cooperation, and the consequences of folly. I share these fables, hoping they may guide your rebuilding, as they have guided countless souls before.
How to Settle a Quarrel with a Well-Chosen Fable
July 21st 566 BCE
I have seen that men are often no wiser than the beasts of the field. When two goats meet on a narrow bridge, their pride prevents either from yielding, and both fall into the river. So it is with men's quarrels. A direct command to be wise often fails, for it wounds their vanity. But a simple story, of a fox or a lion, allows them to see their own foolishness in another's fur. This method uses a tale as a mirror, helping angry men to judge their own conflict with a clear eye and arrive at a just peace.
You will need:
1. Summon the Disputants
Bring the two who are at odds to a quiet place. Do not let them begin shouting anew. Ask for their agreement to listen, first to each other, and then to you. A calm spirit is the soil in which wisdom grows.
2. Hear Each Grievance in Full
Allow the first to speak his entire mind without interruption. Then, allow the second the same courtesy. Like a physician, you must understand the whole ailment before you can prescribe a cure. Listen for the pride, greed, or fear that fuels the fire.
3. Discern the Central Folly
Once both have spoken, consider the root of their problem. Are they like the dog who dropped his bone for its reflection? Or the two crabs who could not agree on which way to walk? Every quarrel has a core of foolishness. Your task is to see it clearly.
4. Select the Appropriate Fable
From your memory, pull a tale that matches the folly you have discerned. If the issue is one of false promises, speak of the wolf in sheep's clothing. If it is one of unequal partnership, tell of the lion's share. The tale must be a true mirror.
5. Recite the Tale with Care
Tell the story simply. Do not point a finger or say, 'This fox is you.' Let the tale stand on its own feet. The truth within it is what holds the power, not your accusation. Speak as if you were merely sharing a curious event you once observed among the animals.
6. Ask for Judgment on the Fable
When the story is finished, turn to them and ask, 'What is the lesson in this? Who acted wisely, and who foolishly?' Let them pass judgment upon the crow, the ant, or the grasshopper. In judging another, they prepare to judge themselves.
7. Connect the Lesson to the Quarrel
Once they have agreed upon the fable's moral, you may gently ask, 'Is there not a kernel of this same foolishness in the matter before us?' This allows them to discover the connection themselves, which is far more potent than having it thrust upon them.
8. Guide Them to a Wise Resolution
With the light of the fable to guide them, help them fashion a solution. The moral of the story will often point the way. If the fable was about sharing, a shared solution becomes obvious. A resolution found this way is one they will honor, for they feel they have discovered it themselves.
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