A Gem of Advice
Bruce was not good at winning races or contests of any kind. He lost almost all the challenges he entered.
“Another contest?” Ginger asked. “I don’t think you’ve noticed, but you’re no ace at winning. You’ll lose for sure.”
“You don’t know that,” Bruce answered. “It sounds strange, but even when I finish in last place, I learn something that I can change next time.”
“What did you learn when you lost the road race?” Ginger asked.
“I learned that I had to check my shoe laces so I wouldn’t trip and fall,” Bruce answered. “So I made sure to check my laces in my next race.”
“But you didn’t win that race either!” Ginger said. “Your pace was too slow. You lost by a huge margin.”
“You’re right, I didn’t win. But I learned that I had to practice more. And I practiced a lot for the dance contest. I was so graceful.”
Ginger cringed. “Was that the time you fell off the stage and hurt your face?”
“Yes,” Bruce admitted, “and my leg, too. I wore a bandage and a brace for six weeks. But I bounced back, and I learned something. Now I stay in the center of the stage when I dance.”
“I’ll win this time,” said Bruce. “It will be a cinch. I just need to use everything I’ve learned since I was young!”
And that’s when Bruce won his first contest.
“Any gem of advice?” the principal asked Bruce as he handed him a huge medal.
“Gee, yes. Just keep trying!” Bruce said with a giant grin.