There was once a King that was known for his generosity. He would often reward his servants handsomely if ever they performed what was asked of them. One day the King held a competition for all the craftsmen in his kingdom. The task was to create the best innovative toy for his youngest son in seven days. The winner would receive a pot of gold. All the craftsmen spent days and nights designing and creating their toys. Even those who were not craftsmen attempted the task. Yet there was one man who did not participate. It was not because he did not need the prize. In fact he needed it more than most as he was extremely poor. Yet the reason he did not participate was for two reasons.
The first was due to the amount of contestants involved. Although many like he had no skill, equally as many however did. The chances of him winning therefore was slim to say the least. The second reason was because nothing went his way. Everything that he hoped to happen never happened and everything he hoped would never happen eventually happened. He felt that by not participating he would avoid the disappointment of losing. So instead he decided it would be far better to catch up on some much needed sleep.
When the seven days passed the King decided a winner. It was a remarkable day. Everyone who participated was rewarded with a small pot of gold, enough to live comfortably for a very long time. When the poor man heard of this news he never smiled again. The regret of not participating never ceased to torment him. Whenever he was unable to afford a proper meal for his wife and son he would bury his face in his hands, crying while imagining the pot of gold he so easily could have had. The poor man ended up wishing the competition the King held never happened so that at least he would have been free from the unrelenting regret he was feeling.
One day his son asked him why he never smiled anymore. His father replied with the following words: “Dear son, always remember time waits for no man so do not allow inaction to come back to haunt you for there is nothing more tormenting then missed opportunity. Although it is easy to not try, the consequence, which I now realize, is never worth it, for painful regret is the price one will have to pay. Avoid this heavy cost by never ceasing your efforts for I also realize that success is not the result, it is the effort itself and every effort will be rewarded”
