Choose your battles carefully

Sober while I read, I stumbled on two stories this morning on my way to work.

The first was about two men crossing a narrow stairway. Both could not walk through at the same time, meaning one person had to make way for the other.

For a while, they stared at each other, neither willing to give way. The first man, in anger, asked the other to go back so he could pass.

“I was about to ask you to do the same thing,” replied the second man politely, clearly amused by the outburst.

“I never make way for a fool,” the first man snapped, visibly angry.

The calm second man simply said, “I do,” and moved aside to let him pass.

The second story, Battle on the Cliff, was about two goats that met on the edge of a mountain path. They were heading in opposite directions, and there was no way to cross or turn back. They tried to agree on how to move around each other.

Like the first man, the first goat shouted, “Get out of my way!”

“How can I?” replied the other. “You know it’s easier for you to go back so I can cross, because I can’t step backwards without falling to my death.”

The second goat tried to suggest other ways they could both survive, but the stubbornness and pride of the first goat led to a fight. Sadly, as they locked horns and struggled, both of them fell off the cliff, to the very end they were trying to avoid.

Reading these stories made me reflect on the many times I’ve had to “act the fool” just to maintain peace or sanity in my life.

I used to think that being quiet or accepting certain things made me weak. But now, I see that choosing to “be the fool” sometimes brings peace, even if the benefit isn’t directly mine.

That said, there will always be moments when we must stand firm, but when we do, let it be for something worth the sacrifice.

As Nigerians, one such cause is the 2027 election. If there’s a battle to fight, let it be to win back our country and give life a better chance.

Choose your battles carefully.

Shalom.

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