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| "The Boy Who Cried Wolf" |
There's a story many parents tell their children, typically called, "The Boy Who Cried Wolf." (It's an Aesop's Fable actually) It's about a little boy who's watching a flock of sheep and thinks it's funny to yell out that there's a wolf, so the whole village rushes up to fight a wolf ... except, the boy was playing a joke and there's no wolf. Angry, the villagers go back home. Well, the boy does it again, and laughs at the upset villagers. Finally, a wolf does show up and the boy screams that there's a wolf, but this time the villagers ignore his calls because they don't want to be made fools again. So, the wolf eats the whole flock of sheep. You see, had the boy not tricked the villagers then they would have believed his sincere cry for help. Moral of the lesson: cry for help too much and when you really need it nobody will listen.
Children aren't the only ones guilty of this behavior, because adults do it all the time. It's sometimes called "attention seeking behavior." I'm not sure that's entirely fair though. We can get used to too much help, to the point where we don't like doing anything alone. But, it's probably fair to say adults know better and still do it. I will say this, it's really irritating to the people helping. People like to help, they really do, but don't test their generosity too far and you'll quickly find out how true the story of the boy and the wolf really is.
Given all that, when should we ask for help? When we are at the end of all our options, our fingers worked to the bone, and we can't see any other way out? No. Ask for help whenever you actually need it. Don't fear asking for help. If you need it, then ask. And, be grateful for the help. Most people are glad to help when asked kindly. Who knows where it might lead? You may even find a friend for life.
- M
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