Once upon a time, there lived two great chiefs. One of the chiefs, who was very very powerful, had proven himself over the years. When he said it would rain, it rained. When he said the buffalo were coming, they came. When he said hard times were coming, they came too. It got to the point where the people would believe just about anything he said because he had always been right before, again and again. They would follow him wherever he went, do what he recommended, and believe in his visions of the future.
This chief was loved by everyone, but he also cherished his privacy, so people couldn’t talk directly to him very often. His teepee was on the very edge of the village, sort of away from everyone. When someone would come by to speak to him, a family member or one inside his circle would relay the message. Very seldom would he talk to someone directly or help someone directly. Doing so would show favoritism, he felt, and he didn’t want to create a stir, nor did he want to be bothered with petty complaints on matters like that.
Now, in the same village, there lived another chief. He was not as tried and true. There had not been any big battles during his lifetime, at least not yet, so he hadn’t gotten to prove his courage and bravery, even though a lot of people had confidence that he would do well when battle did come. This chief had also established himself to be a chief the people could trust and believe in. He had good ideas, and sometimes he said things before the other chief said them. He was not wrong very often either, but he hadn’t been right over a long enough period to earn the same stature as the other chief.
This chief was very different from the other in one key way. His teepee was in the very center of the village. The flaps to his teepee were open whenever he was there, and people could always stop by and talk to him. When someone needed his help, he went to them directly, no matter what time it was. He talked to people every day and many considered him one of their best friends, not just a powerful chief.
One day in the fall, the first chief said that everyone should pack up their teepees and head to the south. He said a great herd of buffalo would be found there, and the people needed to prepare for the winter. As the chief announced this, the other chief moved to the front of the crowd and with a voice that was both quiet and firm said, “With all due respect, I think we are more likely to find the herd to the east. A lot of people have been telling me that they have seen signs of a great herd over there.”
The people were very surprised that this younger, less experienced chief was calling the first chief into question. This was something that they could not get wrong. Their lives during the coming months would depend upon them choosing the right direction to move.
Which chief did the people follow? Which direction did they travel? And why?
This is post #87 in the Engagement Series. If you want to make sure you don’t miss a post, please feel free to hit subscribe!
image by Fred Buckner. http://www.sxc.hu/profile/fredbIII
Hmmm, I am familiar with this story. They followed the first chief (because he had a big established name) and went to the south. They starved to death.
Too many chiefs spoil the broth. Wait a minute. Wrong parable. I have nothing….xo
Most of the tribe went South with the first chief because of his track record, and his outspokeness.
Few will follow the second chief because he is bringing in new information. This is important for the longevity of the tribe.
When the first chief dies, there will be no one to replace him. This portion of the tribe will probably die out.
The second chief has invested directly in the people by living among them, instead f on the outskirts of the village.
He has also invested in his community, ostensibly that is where these “outsiders” and the additional information comes from. This is a source of information the tribe can use in the future, long after this second chief is dead.
The tribe followed the younger chief and went East. The reason being is that the younger chief has made himself available and open to speaking with people so he would have the most accurate information.He points out that “alot” of people have been telling him that the buffalo can be found to the East. The elder chief on the other hand, chose not to avail himself to everyday conversation so was not privy to this information from the many people who spoke of the buffalo herd being in the East.
“The people were very surprised that this younger, less experienced chief was calling the first chief into question. This was something that they could not get wrong. Their lives during the coming months would depend upon them choosing the right direction to move.”
The tribe’s medicine man stepped out of the crowd and looked long and hard at both chiefs and motioned his people back. The medicine man had been with the older chief since he was a boy, long before he became chief and had guided and advised him for many years. Following the medicine man, both chiefs walked into the prairie and away from the settlement.
As they walked, the older chief reflected on his past and the younger chief wondered at the future for the tribe. They followed the medicine man quietly, both lost in their thoughts, the medicine man led them up a hill overlooking the tribe’s summer home and all the movement below. As the three honorable men stood at the top of the hill side by side, the medicine man finally spoke.
“You will both choose and agree on four of our most trusted warriors and put them on four of our fastest horses, send two to the South and two to the East and find out where the herd is with their own eyes. You will do this together, because you, old chief are wise and good but tired, and you, young chief will do this because you are smart and strong and love your people too much to loose them because of pride. This will bring you the wisdom to lead our people when the old chief and I are both with the spirits of our ancestors. No matter which two warriors see the herd, we will know before we set out. The decision will come from working together and being able to put the good of our people above any pride.”
They did. The warriors were chosen and set out at a fast pace. After a week, the four chosen were back and met with the two chiefs and medicine man in the medicine man’s teepee. As they discussed the great number of buffalo and how the travel would be for the tribe, the medicine man looked on as his son and grandson were working together in planning the move with gladness in his heart.
…………
That was fun! Thanks for the wake-up exercise! ~Amber-Lee
I would not try to do better than Amber-Lee’s brilliant parable. It is fun, logical, creative and makes a great deal of sense. Thanks Amber-Lee.
JOSEPH
The people hired a consultant to advise them. They appointed a task force to evaluate the findings. The buffalo moved on beyond their hunting range and they starved to death.
I’d ask Chief number two if I could carry his luggage.
Well, I read it and made a decision and was prepared to present it.
THEN, I read all of the comments before I posted mine. And changed my point of view as I read Amber-Lee’s post. I didn’t think of tribal leadership as being patriarchal.
I was going with the tribe splitting and the younger men following the younger chief. Established families would follow the “proven” chief.
Thanks for the point of view and education, Amber-Lee.