Mindset story: That is impossible no one can do that or can they – how to achieve big goals

Once upon a time, deep in a lush, green forest, there was an old, giant bathtub that had been left behind by humans. Over the years, it became a home for all kinds of insects. Little ants, busy bees, chirping crickets, shiny beetles, and delicate butterflies all made their homes in and around the tub. They found safety in its high walls, and the smooth surface kept predators away. It was a special place, but it had one very important rule, “We must always keep the plughole clear,” the elder beetle would say. “If it rains, and the plughole is blocked, water will fill the tub, and we will all drown.” The strongest beetles were given the task of guarding the plughole. Day and night, they made sure nothing blocked it. Everyone respected their work because it kept everyone safe. One day, however, disaster struck. “Oh no!” cried one beetle, standing near the plughole. “There is a giant watermelon blocking the drain!”

The other beetles gathered around. The watermelon was enormous, almost as wide as the bathtub itself. Even the largest beetle, with his shiny black shell and mighty legs, couldn’t move it. “Push harder!” the elder beetle commanded. The beetles pushed together, grunting and straining, but the watermelon didn’t budge. Then came the smartest insects, the engineers, and the thinkers. They scratched their heads and whispered ideas to one another. “If we build a lever…” “Or perhaps dig under it…” But each idea failed. The watermelon was simply too big. Fear crept into the hearts of the insects. What if it rained? What if they drowned? The wisest insects began planning an escape. They knew not everyone would make it. The insects grew quiet and sad. Their home, the bathtub they loved, might soon be gone. Then, a small ant, who had just moved to the area, spoke up. “Excuse me,” she said, her voice polite but firm. “Would you mind if I took the watermelon?” The beetles burst into laughter. “You?” they chuckled. “Look how tiny you are! We are the strongest, and we couldn’t move it. What can you do?” Some beetles grew angry, feeling mocked. “Don’t waste our time!” one huffed. But the elder beetle, wise and kind, raised a leg to quiet them. “Let her try,” he said.

The small ant nodded and left, promising to return by sunset. The other insects went back to their gloomy planning. They did not believe the ant could succeed. But, just as the sun began to set, the small ant returned and she was not alone. Behind her marched thousands upon thousands of ants, moving in perfect order. They lined up around the watermelon. Each ant bit off the tiniest piece of the fruit and carried it away. A grasshopper, watching from a leaf, sneered. “You’ll never finish at that pace,” he said to one ant resting for a moment. The ant replied, panting, “Are you sure about that?” She smiled and continued working. Hours turned into days. Slowly, the watermelon shrank. Bit by bit, piece by piece. The other insects watched in awe. What seemed impossible was happening right before their eyes. By the third day, the plughole was clear. The watermelon was gone. The danger had passed. The elder beetle gathered everyone together. “Today, we have learned something important,” he said. “Big problems can be solved with small steps. We, the strongest, thought size and power were all that mattered. The smartest among us thought we needed complicated plans. But it was the ants with their patience and teamwork who showed us the way.” The small ant blushed, but her fellow ants cheered proudly. From that day on, the insects in the bathtub changed their ways. Big jobs were broken into smaller tasks. Everyone, big or small, had a role to play. And no one was ever laughed at for their size again. Whenever a problem seemed too big, the insects would remember the watermelon and the little ant who dared to think differently. And so, their home in the bathtub became safer and happier than ever before.