In a distant parallel universe where sheep rule the planet Htrae, there was 2 young sheep named Rekcus-bmud and Nepo-seye that dreamt about being a shepherd.
You see, there are only 2 kinds of sheep on that planet – shepherd sheep that lead and sheep that follow the shepherds.
Both these two young sheep, who were the best of friends, have no wish to be like the other sheep, always following and doing what the shepherds demanded or have planned for them.
They too wanted to be their own shepherds. To have a flock of their own each!
“Nepo-seye, do you want to join me in this night seminar I read in the papers?” asked Rekcus-bmud excitedly. “This guru is sharing his secret to shepherd success! And It’s free you know?”
“Eh… OK. You sure it’s free?” Seye-nepo asked with a suspicious look.
After some reassuring words upon checking up, both went to this “free” seminar.
Something interesting happened after the seminar that night. Both Rekcus-bmud and Nepo-seye became converts!
From only dreaming and talking about how nice if they can be shepherds – to actively doing something about it. No more TALK, it’s now DO for them.
But the paths each took differ.
Although the seminar was “free”, the “real secret” to shepherdhood was only available if the participants were to sacrifice some of the wool on his body for the complete 3 days package. This Rekcus-bmud did most willingly in an almost religious fervour fashion.
Nepo-seye decided that paying wool to be “told” by shepherds what to do does not make sense when they are already being told by shepherds what to do for free in their everyday lives!?
Nepo-seye was busy researching and observing how this guru shepherd operated:
How many came to this “free” seminar?
How many signed up for the “pay in wool” 3 days package?
How much does the meeting venue cost in wool?
How much did the advertisements in the papers cost?
What trigger words caused the most excitement in the participants? Free is a powerful word Nepo-seye learned!
How the guru used his body language and tone of voice to “sell” beyond the spoken words?
How much roughly did the guru earned in wool that night?
And so on…
Nepo-seye even volunteered to work for free with one of these guru shepherds to complete his research by looking from the inside out, instead of outside in - the path his good friend Rekcus-bmud took.
Several months later, when both friends meet, Nepo-seye had a shock!
“Rekcus-bmud! What happened to you? Where’s all your wool?”
“I’ve given them all to the gurus as payment for their generosity in sharing their secrets with me. I’ve am trained by 4 gurus now!” exclaimed Rekus-bmud triumphantly. “Next week I’ll be going to my 5th seminar by this guru from overseas!!!”
Nepo-seye peered into his friend’s eyes and offered his most heartfelt advice, “As sheep, the two most important assets we have on our body are our wool and meat.”
“You don’t have any wool left on your body… Do be careful on what you have signed up for next.”
Rekcus-bmud did not listen and he did not hear… And was heard no more…
Nepo-seye became a shepherd after several years of apprenticeship with shepherds.
By listening to what shepherd DO, not what they SAY.
Singapore Man of Leisure (welcome to my blog; just google it!)
