Challenging Defensive Behaviour

This metaphor is designed to challenge the listener to re-examine their assumptions.

The Swimming Bear

An owl was walking along a deserted beach one day, just enjoying the sunshine and watching the waves roll in, when suddenly the water was full seals frolicking around and diving in and out of the waves.

The seals began to swim ashore and throw themselves on the sand. They lay there basking in the sun and rolling around without a care in the world. And more and more seals began to come ashore and to the owl's surprise a bear came swimming in, hauled itself out of the surf, and shook its fur dry before flopping down on the sand. The bear saw the owl watching and said 'What?'

"Oh", said the owl. "I didn't mean to be rude. But I never expected to find a bear in a seal colony".

"It's a long story", said the bear, "but I was brought up among these seals and I have learned to survive among them. Actually I am quite proud of myself. No other bear can swim as well as I do".

The owl thought for a while and said "I can see that you have learned skills that are unique and useful to you. But is that what you want?".

"I can swim outstandingly well, you know", said the bear.

"Yes", said the owl, "But is that what you want?'.

"What else could I need?" thought the bear, as the owl walked on.

 

Time passed, and the question just wouldn't go away. The bear still did not understand the question, but couldn’t let it go. So one day, the bear just couldn't stand it any more and set out in the direction that the owl went.

The bear trudged on for miles and came across another beach. This one was crowded with humans, all sunbathing and reading and digging holes in the sand and all the other things that families do at the beach. And in the middle of that crowded beach was a man in a coat with a fence around him.

 The bear just had to speak to him, so he went up to him and said "How come you are fully dressed and everyone else is nearly naked?"

"Oh" said the man, "that's the way I like it. It means I am never exposed".

"And the fence?" asked the bear, politely.

"Actually, a lot of people ask about that. The secret is, I carry it with me everywhere. No one can put up that fence faster than me".

"Ah" said the bear, finally understanding the question, "But is that what you want?".

 

 

 

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