THE EAGLE AND THE OYSTER

Once there were two eggs discussing what they wanted to
be when they hatched. The first egg said, “I want to be
an oyster when I hatch. An oyster just lay in the water
and never has to make any decisions. The currents of
the ocean move it about, so it doesn’t have to plan.
The ocean water passing by brings its food. Whatever
the ocean provides is what the oyster receives, no
more, no less.” The first egg continued, “That’s the
life for me. It may be limited, but there are no
decisions and no responsibilities. There is a secured
existence controlled only by the ocean.”

The second egg said, “That’s not the life for me. I
wish to be an eagle. An eagle is free to go where it
wants and to do as it pleases. Of course it is
responsible for hunting its own food and making
survival decisions, but it is also free to fly as high
as the mountains.” The second egg continued, “The eagle
is in control, instead of being controlled by others. I
want no limits placed on me, nor do I want to be a
slave of the ocean. Consequently, I am willing to
expend the effort required to live the life of an
eagle.”