Look Before You Leap

 The Fox and the Goat

One day, a Fox fell into a deep well and couldn’t climb out. A thirsty Goat soon came to the same well, and seeing the Fox, called down to ask whether the water was good. Pretending to be happy (and not in despair), the Fox lavishly praised the water, saying how absolutely delicious it tasted, and encouraging the Goat to come down and join him in the well.

The Goat, thinking only of his thirst, stupidly jumped down. As he drank, the Fox informed him of the difficulty they were both in and suggested a scheme for their common escape. “If,” said the Fox, “you put your forefeet up on the wall and bend your head down, I will run up your back like a ramp and escape, and then I will help you out afterwards.”

The Goat agreed and so the Fox leaped upon his back. Steadying himself with the Goat’s horns, he safely reached the mouth of the well…and took off as fast as he could! When the Goat complained of the Fox breaking his promise, the Fox turned around and cried out, “You old Goat! If you had as many brains in your head as you have hairs in your beard, you would never have gone down without making sure there was a way back up. Only a foolish fellow exposes himself to dangers from which he has no means of escape!”

If you expect to grow in life and in business, you should watch out for who you trust. Look before you leap and have a back up plan.

Remember “To be trusted is a greater compliment than to be loved or pitied.”