Your Bit Will Be Missed

The Story of The Village Wine,

a lesson in selflessness, honesty, effort, and teamwork.

"It takes a village," would be an appropriate title, but it is more than that. It is a lesson about the importance of selflessness and to not ever be a leaker cheater just because you can get away with it. In the 1970's, Sesame Street had this little short about this kid who littered, with a jingle the ended with "if every kid did it, can't you see what an ugly, awful, no-fun world it would be. Yuck." Life and business can exhibit this same lesson.

When you're asked to take part in a project in school or in your career, make sure to pull your weight. Dig in, lend a hand, go the extra mile. Learn. Make a positive impact. Do your part because it is the right thing to do, and because if everybody leaked out, you would have... nothing. Your bit will be missed!

The story below cannot be credited. I cam across a photocopy in college, told the story countless times over the years, and re-typed it for you. After reading it, I hope you come away with another nugget to make you a better leader.

The Village Wine

A triumphant feast was scheduled in a village and in order to ensure that all might enjoy in the feast without imposing upon any few, the villagers all agreed that each would put in one bottle of his best wine into a great cask for the occasion.

However, upon reflection, one villager reasoned that if he filled his bottle with water, the dilution would so slight, no one would notice.

So, the day of the feast arrived, and the great cask was tapped, and wonder of wonders,..

Nothing but water poured forth!

Every village had reasoned alike -- my bit will not be missed.

-Author unknown

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