Today’s post is written by Dick Carlson, Chief Learning Officer at Applied Educational Systems, Inc.
How The King’s Subjects Learned The Value Of Skills
Once upon a time, there was a benevolent King. He ruled with love and grace and his people were the happiest in the land. His wife the Queen was beautiful and adored by all his subjects, and when she gave birth to twin boys there was much celebrating and happiness in the Kingdom.
When the boys grew up, the King made plans for their education. “Off to the Royal University you shall go, my sons! You must learn to think great thoughts, to speak great languages, and to negotiate will with the other Kingdoms at Court.”
Prince Bruce was quite excited. A thin, bookish lad, he loved to study and think. He could calculate the value of “pi” out to 100 places. He could draw you a wonderful map showing the four corners of the Earth. And he could use leeches from the Royal Physician to draw your blood to cure just about any ailment.
Prince Bart, on the other hand, was less than thrilled about spending years in some dusty old library. “Geezeth, King Dad! I wouldth rather eat cold pig belly than have to hang with Prince Bruce in University for four years. What sayeth I assemble my own plan of study with the Royal Tradesmen?”
The King, a wise and thoughtful man, agreed. He let Prince Bart build his own plan of study. One year with the Royal Blacksmith, one year with the Royal Armorer, one year with the Royal Architect, and one year with the Royal Seamstress.
Four Years Pass
Four years later, the Princes returned from their studies. Prince Bruce spoke well using big words, could quote famous authors, and could sing beautiful arias in several languages.
Prince Bart returned with callused hands, new muscles, and driving a souped-up ox-cart that he’d designed and built himself.
On the day of the celebration feast, word came to the King that a neighboring Kingdom was primed to attack. He called his sons to his chambers, and asked for their help. Prince Bruce immediately put together plans to negotiate with other surrounding kingdoms for help, and sent emissaries to the warring kingdom to help negotiate peace.
Prince Bart made new armaments, designed battle plans, and started building amazing new ox-powered tanks to defeat the enemy.
After several skirmishes, the warring King – tail between his legs – agreed to peace at very positive terms. He knew he’d get his Royal Ass kicked if he continued.
And The Moral Of Our Story?
So the moral of the story is “While it’s nice to have a higher education and know big words, it’s essential to also be able to kick some King ass now and then.”
Dick Carlson is an Instructional Designer, author, speaker and project manager who develops amazing learning experiences for technical audiences. He writes a blog called “TechHerding” that started when he began herding technical cats at the Microsoft Corporation over seven years ago.
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