There was a lion and a weasel placed in a fighting ring about to face each other. Many people were placing bets. Of course, they believed the lion would win; but one man went to the bookie and placed everything he had on the weasel. The book maker laughed thinking it was a joke. “This is no joke,” the man said. So with a grin, the bookie took all of the man’s money amusing to himself that it would be a great day’s takings.
The fight began and within the first few seconds the lion was in trouble. She was cowering in the corner from the ferocious blows of the weasel. She did not fight at all but did her best to hide, in absolute fear! Soon the fight was finished and the weasel was the clear winner. The lion’s owner took her out of the ring in disgust muttering he would sell her the next day.
The betting man went to claim his winnings from the bookie. Surprised at the outcome, the bookie asked the man, “How did you know the weasel would win?”
“I grew up next door to the lion. From the time she was a cub, she was in a very small enclosure by herself given only the bare essentials for survival. No one to love her or teach her what strengths she has. Over the years, the only friends she had were the field mice that she would watch from a distance and they are terrified of weasels.”
The following day the betting man was at the town’s auction yards and bumped into the book maker once again. It came time for the lion to be auctioned off but most of the town having seen or heard about the lion’s performance the night before did not want to waste their money on such an animal. She was about to be passed in when the betting man put in a bid. The auctioneer exclaimed “sold” and the betting man went to claim his prize.
Astonished, the book maker asked, “Last night you bet everything you had against this animal, knowing it would not win against a mere weasel; and this morning, you have gone and purchased her. WHY?”
“Because she is a lion.”
“Yes, I know. But I still don’t understand.”
“You know and I know that she is a lion… but she doesn’t know who or what she is. Once I show her, she will win every fight!”
Remember who you truly are — brilliant, talented, worthy… a gift! We (the world) need you to be all you were called to be, so give yourself permission to shine like a city on a hill!
For more information, contact simone@simoneleslie.com or visit www.simoneleslie.com.
