The Heart of the Matter
May 23, 2009
You're Right!

00019_s_8aoowifpp0008.jpg

There is a scene from Fiddler on the Roof that has taught me more about life than most holy books I've read.

In it, two men are arguing over the age of a horse. When they see Tevye, the town milkman/sage, each begins passionately pleading his case.

"Tevye!" blurts the first, "I've been cheated! Last month I bought a horse from this sorry excuse for a man. He told me the horse was six, but it was 12!"

Tevye listens carefully, strokes his beard, nods his head, and smiles. "You're right!" he says.

"What!" screams the second. "No way! Not true! The horse I sold him was six years old and I have the papers to prove it!"

Again, Tevye listens, strokes his beard, nods his head, and smiles. "You're right!" he says.

A third man, who'd been watching the argument from the beginning, boldly steps forward.

"Tevye... with all due respect for your great insight and wisdom, how can he be right" (pointing the the first) "and he be right" (pointing to the second).

Tevye listens, strokes his beard, nods his head, and smiles. "You're right!

Then he starts dancing like a madman.

Next time you think you're right... remember Tevye.

large_Fiddler.JPG

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at May 23, 2009 02:26 AM

Post a comment

Thanks for signing in, . Now you can comment. (sign out)

(If you haven't left a comment here before, you may need to be approved by the site owner before your comment will appear. Until then, it won't appear on the entry. Thanks for waiting.)


Remember me?


Welcome to Mitch Ditkoff's blog about what's really important in this life: Peace, gratitude, love, joy, clarity, and the effort required to wake up and smell the roses. Enjoy!

   Contact me   
© MITCH DITKOFF