Perhaps some would feel inclined to ridicule rather than applaud the
patience of a poor Chinese woman who tried to make a needle from a rod
of iron by rubbing it against a stone.
It is doubtful whether she succeeded or not, but, so the story runs,
the sight of the worker plying her seemingly hopeless task, put new
courage and determination into the heart of a young Chinese student,
who, in deep despondency, stood watching her.
Because of repeated failures in his studies, ambition and hope had left
him. Bitterly disappointed with himself, and despairing of ever
accomplishing anything, the young man had thrown his books aside in
disgust. Put to shame, however, by the lesson taught by the old woman,
he gathered his scattered forces together, went to work with renewed
ardor, and, wedding Patience and Energy, became, in time, one of the
greatest scholars in China.
When you know you are on the right track, do not let any failures dim
your vision or discourage you, for you cannot tell how close you may be
to victory. Have patience and stick, stick, stick. It is eternally true
that he
"Who steers right on
Will gain, at length, however far, the port."