“‘Someday’ is a disease that will take your dreams to the grave with you.” – Timothy Ferriss
Today, I’m attempting to write a good Fable.
This is something I’ve never attempted before but as a mum, I’ve told some good stories to my daughter so I’m sure that I can do a fairly good job of it, even on my first attempt.
In case you’re not familiar with this type of story, fables are ‘fictional stories that feature animals, legendary creatures, plants, inanimate objects, or forces of nature‘ that bring an idea to life. They have a unique way of distilling complex ideas into simple, memorable lessons.
This one touches on something that resonates with all of us: time. It’s easy to take time for granted, letting it slip by without fully realising its importance. But time, once gone, can never be reclaimed, and how we choose to spend it shapes the outcomes we see in our lives. This story is a reminder to be mindful of how we invest our hours and days, knowing that every moment counts toward the future we’re building.
The message I wanted to explore is one we all face daily—balancing how we use our time. Whether it’s work, family, or personal pursuits, we’re constantly making choices about where to direct our energy. It’s currently 11:06 AM here and I’ve been doing just that since I woke up at 4 AM today. Anyway, this fable reflects on those choices and how they shape the harvest we eventually reap.
I hope you enjoy my first fable.
The Wise Tortoise and the Foolish Antelope
In the lush forests of Abia State, where the trees whispered ancient stories and the rivers sang to the wind, lived two neighbours: Mazi Mbe, the wise old tortoise, and Okey, the fast and boastful antelope.
One morning, the great Ala, the Earth goddess, sent a message to all the animals. “In one year, the rains will cease for a long time. Prepare wisely and store enough food to last you.”
Mazi Mbe, known for his wisdom, immediately set to work. Each day, he gathered fruit, nuts, and roots, storing them carefully in his burrow. Slow and steady, Mbe spent his time wisely, knowing that a year would pass quickly. He never wasted a moment, always mindful that time was his most valuable resource.
Okey, on the other hand, laughed as he bounded through the forest. “Why hurry?” he mocked, leaping past Mbe one afternoon. “There’s plenty of time! I’m fast, and when the time comes, I’ll gather everything I need in no time.”
Months passed, and while Mbe continued his patient preparations, Okey spent his days racing through the forest, playing and boasting to anyone who would listen. He’d spend hours showing off his speed, claiming he had all the time in the world.
As the year drew to a close, the once-lush forest began to dry, and the rains stopped, just as Ala had warned. The rivers shrank, the trees bore no fruit, and the ground turned hard. It was time for the animals to rely on the food they had gathered.
Mazi Mbe sat in his burrow, his stores filled with food. He had used his time wisely, and now he could rest peacefully.
But Okey, realizing the severity of the drought, frantically darted through the forest, searching for food. Everywhere he went, the trees were bare, and the ground offered no sustenance. Desperate and hungry, Okey ran to Mbe’s burrow.
“Mazi Mbe, please help me,” Okey begged, panting from exhaustion. “I thought I had all the time in the world, but now it’s too late. I have nothing to eat.”
Mazi Mbe looked at Okey with sad eyes and replied, “Time is the most valuable resource we have, my friend. You may be fast, but no one can outrun time. You wasted yours, thinking you had plenty, while I used mine wisely. Now, we face the consequences of our choices.”
Though Mbe was kind, he knew that if he shared too much of his food, neither of them would survive the long drought. So, he gave Okey a small portion, just enough to get by for a day, and sent him away with a final word of wisdom.
“Time, like the rain, comes and goes. It can never be stored, only used. Use it wisely, or you may find yourself in a season of regret.”
From that day on, Okey understood the value of time and never took it for granted again. The lesson spread throughout the forest, reminding all the animals that time, once lost, could never be regained.
I’ll be experimenting with different types of short stories and poems over the next two weeks, and I hope my first fable gives you something to reflect on as you navigate your own use of time.
In the end, the lesson is simple, time is our most valuable resource. Use yours wisely.
P/s: If you have any questions about creating content, writing, or the story above, please leave a comment below or DM me on Instagram!
