I was reminded of a story I've told before (ad infinitum, ad nauseum) but it is filled with many lessons. So one more time.
My Dad Bucky and his brother Bob lived in a house two blocks from the City Club. Bucky was around 10 years old at the time which would have made Bob around 7. It had been raining outside. Their mom Myrna (my Grandmother) had told them they could not go outside and play unless they wore their boots. In those days, rubber boots were pulled over your regular shoes and either buckled or zipped up.
Bucky was argumentative and "took on the issue" directly. He would not go outside if he had to wear boots. I can almost hear the defiant words "I won't do it". So Bucky suffered the consequences and stayed in doors and of course drove Myrna "nuts by being underfoot".
Bob, a totally different personality, was non-confrontational. He put on his boots and didn't protest in any way. This particular day, Myrna happened to be watching Bob from the front window as he left the house. Bob got to the bottom of the front porch steps, took off his boots, placed them under the stairs and ran down the street to play with his buddies. He defied his mother's instructions but totally enjoyed the day (he got away with the deception).
The question I've always had was "which kid would I rather be"?
Bucky was honest upfront and said he wouldn't wear the boots. He suffered by being restricted to the house. Bob was deceptive but achieved his objective of playing outside.
Myrna thought the situation was cute and elected to keep her mouth shut (until she told the story years later).
The situation turned out to be a microcosm of the way the two boys lived their life. Bucky was constantly fighting the system and suffering the consequences. Bob usually "went with the flow". There is no question that Bob's enjoyment of life was higher than Bucky's. Certainly a lot less stress.
I could write a book about all the possible mistakes that were made by all three (Myrna, Bucky and Bob). In the end, each person had to live with the consequence of their action. I don't know if their are any absolute rights or wrong.
The lesson Grasshoppers is that everybody is different. It is what makes life so interesting.
Would you wear your boots of not?
I honestly don't know what Grasshopper No.1 would do?
I do know what Grasshopper No.2 would do.
I do know what Grasshopper No.3 would do.
I think I know what Grasshopper No.4 would do.
I do know what Grasshopper No.5 would do.
Love,
Dad