My decisions today are a seed; so what’s the harvest?
~ Pastor Shun D. Strickland
YES, you read the title correctly….THE LITTLE RED HEN…the famous childhood book.
HOW CAN THIS STORY HELP ME AS AN ENTREPRENEUR?
The education system uses the story to teach children the importance of hard work and the consequences of being lazy or not helping.
I recently viewed a Facebook lesson from Pastor Shun Strickland where she spoke about lessons learn from the Little Red Hen. What she was able to draw from the story was she needed to, “break up with the guilty of feeling responsible for doing for people for what they would not do for themselves.”
Ooooooweeeee that hit my spirit down to the souls of my feet. You will have to view the entire Facebook Live lesson to pull your own perspective.
While searching for a picture for this blog post, I ran across a blog written by Myra Zapf “Why I Hate The Little Red Hen” she states :“I dislike the story because of its didactic sledgehammer, but if I’m really honest, I just really don’t like her. As a person. She’s mean-spirited and whiney, bossy and smug. And worst of all, she wallows in her self-martyrdom. In case you think me uncharitable, think about this. Did she explain to the other animals at the start that she was planning to make bread, in order to incentivise them? No, she didn’t. She kept her plans to herself like a control-freak. Or did she explain that she really needed help? No, she didn’t. Did she set out the possible consequences of their decision? No – she conned them into thinking they had a real choice. Why? Because she planned this little lesson all along. And worst of all, they are given no chance to redeem themselves or to make it up to her”
I read this and was like WHOOOOOO LIL MAMA YOU ARE TAKING THIS TOO FAR; but then I had to stop realize there are several versions of this story and I do not know which version she read, but I could see her point of view (you will have to read the entire blog post).
I’ve taken advantage of this down time during this 2020 Covid pandemic, to invest in myself and my business by enrolling in a lot of self help, business and education classes. My journal books are full and I have become more vocal in asking for what I need from others. Some people have asked me why I need the information, while others have given or pointed me in the direction to obtain what I need.
Depending on the version of the story you read, you will see the Little Red Hen had one job, and that was to lay eggs. She later discovered an opportunity and vision through the wheat. The Little Red Hen was willing to share the wealth of the opportunity with those who were willing to assist in execution of the vision. Each step she made she asked if anyone would like to assist. Since no one seem interested, she pressed forth, completed the mission and saw the Harvest. As others saw the end result, they wanted the Harvest as a handout and not a reward for the work done. See the The Little Red Hen laid a Blueprint to her harvest. She has actually created and left a legacy for her children and others to follow but YOU MUST DO THE WORK. I do not see The Little Red Hen as a control freak nor selfish when she did not share the harvest as Zapf mention above. I see The Little Red Hen as a GO GETTER! She had opportunity, vision, and a will to do the work.
I now sit with three different interpretations of a childhood story from three different reams, searching my soul, and opening my ears to hear from God on my next moves as an entrepreneur. The number 3 continues to ring in the back of my head. Depending on who you ask 3 can mean several things. Growing up in the church, 3 is the Trinity of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. I know whatever direction I go as an entrepreneur I will have the guidance, help and protection from above. I WILL NOT BE AFRAID NOR APOLOGETIC for my FUTURE SUCCESS.
What lesson(s) have you learned from The Little Red Hen?
Aysun Taylor Studios 