The sultan of Persia had sentenced two men to death. One of them, knowing how much the sultan loved his stallion, offered to teach the horse to fly within a year in return for his life. The sultan, fancying himself the rider of the only flying horse in the world, agreed.
The other prisoner looked at his friend in disbelief. “You know horses don’t fly. What made you come up with a crazy idea like that? You’re only postponing the inevitable.” “Not so,” said the first prisoner. “I have actually given myself four chances for freedom. First, the sultan might die during the year. Second, I might die. Third, the horse might die. And fourth-I might teach the horse to fly.” (from No More Mondays, page 107)
Wow! I like this guy’s thinking. Rather than giving in to victim mentality and acquiescing to his immediate death, with one creative suggestion, he creates four possible outcomes for his future.
Okay, why the “Free Beer Tomorrow” lead-in? I always chuckle when I see this popular sign in the window of pubs around the world. Of course, it’s a joke since it is an eternal promise that is always unfulfilled. And yet the promise of a better tomorrow is not to be taken lightly. From concentration camps to the finest academic institutions we see examples of those who can survive horrific circumstances or die in despair in the midst of the finest opportunities known to man.
Without the hope of a brighter future tomorrow we are all doomed. Many of you are in positions where you can offer hope to those questioning what tomorrow will bring. Whatever your service, know that it’s not just your brilliant knowledge that people are looking for. In addition they want to be assured that there will come a better day.
Incidentally I’m not a beer guy – I’ve never had one in my life. But I like the thought behind this phrase nonetheless. Don’t be surprised if you see a “Free Beer Tomorrow” sign in my office window — tomorrow!
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