Sooner or later we must realize there is no station, no one place to arrive at once and for all. The true joy of life is the trip
Robert J. Hastings

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InspirEmail No 217 - October 3rd, 2011 - The Woodsman and the Leprechaun
'Inspirational messages to refresh the spirit and boost the emotional bank account'
 

The Woodsman and the Leprechaun

Long ago, a woodsman saved the life of a leprechaun and was given one wish. The woodsman thought for a long time and finally wished that each of his three daughters find a good husband.

But the leprechaun was full of games. 'How am I to know what's good in your mind? I'll give them husbands, but you can name only one quality and it's got to be the same for all. What'll you have? I can make them clever, strong, beautiful or rich . . . you name it.'

The woodsman said, 'Then give me men of good character.'

The leprechaun wasn't done playing. 'And how am I to know what good character is?'

'Do you have children?' asked the woodsman.

'I do,' said the leprechaun.

'And do you love them?'

'More than life itself.'

'Then give my girls the kind of men you want for your children.'

'Ah,' the leprechaun said . . . 'then you shall have honourable men with kind and loving hearts. And I'll throw in a strong conscience too.'

The woodsman was a shrewd man and a good father. He knew the well-being and happiness of his children depends on the quality of their relationships. The quality of their relationships depends on the quality of the people they are with.

But what if the woodsman was asked what one quality he wants in his own daughters? As a wise father he would again ask for good character.

Whether it's in one's spouse or oneself, cleverness, good looks, and money are nice, but in the end the most essential quality of a good life is good character.

Written by Michael Josephson
To learn more about the work of Michael Josephson, please visit . . . Character Counts >>>

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