Gentleness vs.Harshness "Showing consideration and personal concern for others"   GENTLENESS - A One-Minute Testimonial Announcement Faith Committee, Character Council of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Contributed from Encyclopedia of 15,000 Illustrations CHARIOTEERING: BE CONCERNED FOR HORSE King Xiang of Zhao [approximately 250 BC] was learning the art of charioteering from Wang Ziqi. As soon as his chariot arrived at an open field, before he had given the horse a chance to warm up, he started to use the whip in a race with his teacher. However, he finally fell far behind Wang Ziqi. He could not catch up with him no matter how hard he tried. This made the king so furious that he summoned Wang. He declared, “It appears you have not taught me the best skills in driving a chariot!” “Your Majesty, I taught you all the skills of driving a chariot, but you overused them. We charioteers have a rule: “First we take into consideration the horse’s total condition. Then we act in accordance with it. When you attach the chariot to the horse, it must be neither too tight nor too loose. It must feel comfortable if the horse is to run fast and for a long distance. To drive well, the charioteer must be patient. Just now, when you fell behind, you became so anxious that you whipped the horse madly. When you overtook me, you worried that I might catch up with you. So you rushed forward without any concern for the horse’s well-being. You were so tense and anxious. How could you possibly drive well? When two people are competing, one must win and the other lose. Your Majesty, you only cared about being first, and had no concern for your horse. That is why you fell behind.” - Chinese Allegorical Tales [Reproduced with permission from Encylopedia of 15,000 Illustrations, by Paul Lee Tan, Communications, Inc., Dallas, TX, 1998, #229] This material is published by the Faith Committee of the Character Council of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Reproduction and Adaptation is encouraged.