There once was a small town down south where a lot of  retired circus people lived. They still had a few animals as pets and one small tent.  They would put on a small performance once a month. The one performance that the crowds liked best was where a monkey would wear  cowboy clothes and ride a tiger around the ring. The monkey even had a small rope he would twirl. The owners of the monkey and the owners of the tiger as well as their families always came to watch their pets perform but rarely stayed for the other performances. Like so many parents today, they were focused on their kids and they were the only ones that mattered.

One day the tiger was walking around the tent outside and he stepped on some thorns and one got stuck in his paw. He tried to lick it out but it was in to deep. The paw became very sore and the tiger became grumpy and less willing to perform in the show. The monkey became afraid to ride on his back. The owners of the monkey blamed the tiger and the owners of the tiger blamed the monkey and both blamed the director. The act was in trouble and if the director didn’t find out what was wrong; the whole little circus was in trouble.

The director met with the tiger and the monkey and asked what was wrong. The tiger said , “you don’t pay any attention to me and you always praise up the monkey. I have a sore paw and no one cares about me.” The director asked the monkey if he knew about the tiger’s sore paw. The monkey admitted that he was more concerned with waving to the crowd and had not noticed the tiger limps. He just knew the tiger was grumpy and he was afraid to ride him anymore. The director admitted that as long as the crowds were happy he had not paid much attention to either one and just spent his time counting the gate recites.

They were all puzzled  for awhile. Finally the monkey said, “ let me look at that paw.” With great tenderness and dexterity he was able to squeeze out that thorn. The tiger was so relived that he gave the monkey a hug. The director was so pleased that the problem was solved; he promised to really pay attention to his favorite act from now on. The owners of both the monkey and the tiger got together and vowed to support the whole little circus and not just their own act. Once again the tiger and monkey performed and the crowds were even bigger than before.

Isn’t it amazing what can happen when we get our focus off of me, mine, and ours and notice what is really bothering the individuals around us. When you really care about your friends, teammates, coaches and directors as much as yourself. You have really  grown  up and have become a really positive leader in the game of life. You have become a difference maker in the lives of all those around you.  Lets all try to be that kind of leader and the world will be a much happier place.