Perseverance story: How did the eagles' goals influence his progress in life

In a great, towering tree on the edge of a vast forest, a young eagle sat in his nest, staring down at the world below. His feathers had grown strong, his wings had stretched wide, and his heart burned with excitement. He was finally ready to leave the nest, to fly freely, and most of all, to hunt for himself. As he scanned the forest floor, something caught his eye. It was a large pig trotting along the ground, its pink skin gleaming in the sunlight. The young eagle’s stomach rumbled. He flapped his wings eagerly and turned to his mother. “That pig looks delicious,” he said. “I want to catch it.” His mother, an experienced and wise eagle, shook her head gently. “No, my dear,” she said. “You are strong, but you are not ready for something so big. Start with something smaller, like with a mouse.” The young eagle frowned but trusted his mother’s words. He spent the next few weeks soaring low over the fields, learning how to spot the tiny movements of mice in the grass. He practiced diving at just the right speed, with just the right angle, until he could snatch up a mouse in a single, swift motion. Before long, he could catch mice effortlessly, and his confidence grew.

With his new skills, his thoughts once again returned to the pig. He turned to his mother, ready to ask again. But before he could speak, she said, “Perhaps now you should learn how to catch rabbits.” Rabbits were much quicker than mice. They darted, zigzagged, and hid in the bushes. At first, the young eagle struggled. His dives missed, his timing was off, and more than once, a rabbit escaped just before his talons could reach it. Frustrated, he turned to his mother and said, “Why can’t I just go after the pig? I am already a good hunter!” His mother smiled. “Patience, my child,” she said. “Rabbits will teach you speed, precision, and the power to carry something larger. Keep practicing.” And so, the young eagle continued. He failed, learned, and tried again. Day by day, he improved. His dives became faster, his grip became stronger, and before long, rabbits became as easy to catch as mice. Feeling proud, he looked down once more at the pigs roaming in the forest. Surely, he was ready now! But once again, his mother shook her head. “Now, it is time for you to hunt lambs.”

The young eagle sighed, but he headed to his mother’s guidance. Lambs were different from rabbits. They were bigger, heavier, and they didn’t run and hide, instead, they stood their ground. He had to learn how to lift them without struggling and how to find the weakest one in the flock. At first, it was difficult. His wings ached from the weight, his balance wobbled in the air, and he almost dropped his prey more than once. But he did not give up. He trained harder, flapping against the wind, strengthening his grip, and soon, he could carry a lamb without effort. Then, one day, as he soared high above the forest, he spotted a pig once again. His mother, watching him closely, gave a small nod. Understanding her silent approval, the young eagle felt no hesitation this time. He tucked his wings in and dove. The wind howled past his ears as he aimed carefully, just as he had learned. His powerful talons struck with precision, his wings lifted with ease, and for the first time, he carried a pig high into the sky.

That evening, as he enjoyed his meal, he looked at his mother with new understanding. “Now I see,” he said. “If I had tried to catch a pig when I first left the nest, I would have failed. I would not have been strong enough, fast enough, or skilled enough.” His mother nodded. “Yes,” she said. “Many rush toward their biggest goals without preparing. But true success does not come from wanting, it comes from learning. Every skill you gained, and every lesson you practiced, made you ready for today. That is why I asked you to wait.” The young eagle looked down at the bones of his meal and smiled. His mother had been right all along.