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Authored By Michael M. Michaelson © May 2002 |
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The Tale of Human Stubbornness |
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One ominous night, two Russian captains stood on their respectful bridges of their ships, watching the calm summer waters of the Black Sea pass quietly under them. The powerful throbbing engines churned the calm sea into foaming wakes, pushing two ships closer to unconstrained disaster, as their paths smoothed themselves into the night. The first great ship was one of Russia's impressive luxury liners, carrying a thousand of her most privileged citizens. The second Russian ship had earned its reputation in strength and reliability, a very grand freighter, laden heavy with the iron toils of less fortunate citizens. According to all law, the captains were notified of each other's courses and were warned that they were now on a possible collision course. The captain of the freighter, gave orders to radio the other ship to slightly change course but the captain of the Liner, now being insulted, returned the message and told the undeserving freighter to move. The ships soon approached one another and their collision course became more than evident! The messages between the two ships were relayed from one bridge to the other as one insisted that the other change course. The two captains could have easily ordered a course change, not only by the dictates of maritime law but just from pure human courtesy. Notwithstanding, the world would have never known of their decisions, but they still sternly held their positions. Closer and closer, the two great ships moved within full view of one another, and still both captains refused alteration in their STUBBORN DECISIONS! For that moment, all other responsibilities were set aside for the sake of their prides. It did not matter that there were hundreds of innocent peoples lives at stake! It did not matter if death came unto either of the captains, nor was their countries reputation considered; everything logical and reasonable was momentarily set aside. The idea to stand for ones own decision was now the most important part of the night. Suddenly, in full view of all those aboard and in full awareness of what was to take place, the two ships great steel hulls were aligned directly with each other and without one degree of change, the massive steel ships engaged full speed. With a terrible and thunderous grinding, these two fine ships collided in the night! By morning, over four hundred unsuspecting souls from both ships had been tallied dead, and scores more injured and still missing! If ever there were a monument to STUBBORNNESS AND PRIDE, this tragic true event exhibits a most exacting example, at the cost of many innocent lives! The two captains were arrested and imprisoned for the rest of their lives. The question here, is why did these men ever allow such a terrible and senseless tragedy to happen? There seems to be absolutely no logic or rationality, for two well-trained and responsible men to have acted in such a manner. However, beyond all reason, there exists within each of us this exact human character, which is very capable and often does defy all logic and explanation! If we look, we too can see this same "characteristic" at work among the most "seemingly" civilized individuals. And if we are not overly prideful in our self-examinations, we can also find these dangerous traits lurking within ourselves! All of us have seen this very same event take place on occasion. When two or more individuals will turn from honest responsibility and give themselves over to a misguided DECISION that involves many lives. Some of these individuals might not be rulers over great prestigious ships but they still carry with them personal influences over others such as friends with friends, or parents to family. Often, the strong characters will take hold of a position and think that it is impossible to be changed or temporarily altered, not even for the sake of hundreds of innocent souls within their course, or maybe just for the sake of one! Strong character in and of itself is not a bad trait to possess and it could actually be a blessing, if it is used properly. Yet, in all honesty we might consider weighing out our prides while charting our course, knowing when it is right, for that wise and life saving turn to be made! Therefore, it does not take a scholar to determine that a stubborn character against all reason, is due for sure collision, with forces mightier than its own understanding! Contact Author at: |
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