Benny "Blue" House and Timmy "Red" Tall Tower
Robert Carroll
Continuous Improvement and Leadership Consulting “My own self, at my very best, all the time".
Recently, I have become weary of the pattern society no longer seeks for the TRUTH but slumps to discredit the other party instead. Rather than expose the truth we sufficiently malign and tear-down our opponent. I humbly submit the following short story to illustrate the danger of denegrating others rather than standing tall on one's own merrit.
A STORY:
The Little Building and the Tall Tower
Once upon a time, in a bustling town filled with colorful buildings, there stood a little building named Benny. Benny was a charming little structure, painted in bright blue with white shutters, and a front door that welcomed everyone. He was well-loved by the townspeople for his cozy shops and friendly atmosphere.
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But Benny had a secret wish. Every night, as he gazed up at the stars, he dreamed of being the tallest building in the town. However, towering above all was Timmy, the Tall Tower. Timmy was a grand and magnificent skyscraper, touching the clouds with his shiny glass windows and majestic height. Benny envied Timmy, wishing he could be the one standing proudly above all.
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One moonlit night, Benny decided he had had enough of being small. Driven by jealousy, he hatched a plan to tear down Timmy. "If Timmy is gone," Benny thought, "I will be the tallest building in the town!"
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So, Benny whispered his plan to his friends, the wrecking balls and bulldozers, who were always ready for a demolition job. They hesitated, but Benny convinced them that it was for the common good. Under the cover of darkness, they began to work. The sounds of crashing and breaking echoed through the night as Timmy the Tall Tower came tumbling down.
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The next morning, as the sun rose, the townspeople were shocked to see the ruins of Timmy. They couldn't believe their eyes. Benny stood proudly, now the tallest building in the town, basking in his newfound glory. But as days passed, something strange happened. The townspeople began to avoid Benny. They missed the beautiful view from Timmy's top floors and the shade he provided on hot summer days.
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One day, a wise old tree named Oliver, who had seen many seasons come and go, spoke to Benny. "Why did you tear down Timmy?" Oliver asked gently.
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Benny sighed, "I wanted to be the tallest and most admired building in the town."
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Oliver nodded thoughtfully. "But Benny, tearing down others to build yourself up never brings true happiness or respect. Timmy's height didn't make him special; it was what he offered to the people. You too can be special in your own way without bringing others down."
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Benny felt a pang of regret. He realized that being tall wasn't what made a building important. It was the joy and service they provided to the people. Determined to make amends, Benny called upon the townspeople and confessed his jealousy and actions. He asked for their forgiveness and help to rebuild Timmy.
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The townspeople, seeing Benny's genuine remorse, forgave him and together, they worked tirelessly to restore Timmy the Tall Tower. Benny learned to appreciate his own charm and uniqueness, understanding that every building, no matter the size, had its own special place in the town.
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And so, with Timmy standing tall once more, the town thrived in harmony. Benny found joy in being himself and became a symbol of humility and kindness. He no longer dreamed of being the tallest, for he had found a much greater happiness in the hearts of the townspeople.
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From that day on, Benny and Timmy stood side by side, reminding everyone that true greatness comes from within and that lifting others up is the surest way to rise.
A POEM:
The Tale of Benny the Jeolous "Blue" Building
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In a bustling town with colors so bright,
Stood Benny, the building, small in height.
He dreamed each night of touching the sky,
Wishing to be the tallest nearby.
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But towering high was Timmy the Tower,
With shiny glass windows, a symbol of power.
Benny felt envy, his heart filled with pride,
Wanting the tallest spot, he sighed.
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One moonlit night, with a plan in his head,
Benny whispered to bulldozers, filled them with dread.
"Let's bring down Timmy," Benny did say,
"Then I'll be the tallest, come the break of day."
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They worked through the night with a crashing sound,
And by morning light, Timmy lay on the ground.
Benny stood proud, now the tallest of all,
But the townspeople's joy began to fall.
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They missed Timmy's height, his shade, his view,
And slowly they saw what Benny could do.
A wise old tree named Oliver spoke,
"Benny, my friend, pride's dangerous cloak."
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"Tearing down others won't bring you true cheer,
It's the love and service that hold us dear."
Benny felt sorry, regret filled his core,
He wished to rebuild Timmy once more.
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He called to the townspeople, confessed his deed,
Asked for forgiveness, sought to succeed.
Together they worked, with heart and hand,
Rebuilding Timmy to once again stand.
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Benny learned then, in the town so bright,
Greatness isn't found in towering height.
True joy is in kindness, in lifting others high,
For in every small act, we touch the sky.
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So Benny and Timmy, side by side,
Stood as symbols of humility and pride.
Reminding all who passed their way,
That true greatness comes from the heart each day.
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Tearing someone else down to elevate oneself is fundamentally wrong for several reasons rooted in moral, ethical, and social principles.?
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Moral Integrity
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1. Violation of Ethical Principles: It breaches the fundamental ethical principle of treating others with respect and dignity. Moral integrity demands honesty and fairness, not deceit and manipulation for personal gain.
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2. Golden Rule: Most moral philosophies and religious teachings emphasize the Golden Rule—treat others as you would like to be treated. Undermining someone contradicts this principle, fostering a culture of disrespect and harm.
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Personal Character
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1. Weakness in Character: Engaging in such behavior reveals a lack of self-confidence and integrity. It showcases a person's inability to succeed based on their own merits, relying instead on the disparagement of others.
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2. Short-Term Gains vs. Long-Term Losses: While tearing someone down might yield short-term advantages, it erodes one's character and reputation over time. People eventually recognize and lose respect for those who habitually demean others.
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Social Impact
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1. Toxic Environment: This behavior contributes to a toxic atmosphere, whether in a workplace, social circle, or community. It breeds distrust, resentment, and animosity, undermining collaboration and mutual support.
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2. Undermining Trust: Trust is a foundational element in any relationship or community. By tearing others down, individuals undermine trust, making it difficult to build meaningful, positive relationships.
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Psychological and Emotional Consequences
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1. Impact on Mental Health: Both the aggressor and the victim suffer psychologically. The victim may experience lowered self-esteem, anxiety, and depression, while the aggressor might feel guilt, paranoia, or an ongoing fear of exposure.
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2. Perpetuating Negativity: This behavior perpetuates a cycle of negativity. Those who are torn down might retaliate or perpetuate similar behavior, creating a continuous loop of hostility and harm.
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Societal Values
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1. Contradiction to Societal Progress: Societies thrive on values like cooperation, empathy, and mutual respect. Undermining others for personal gain goes against these values, hindering collective progress and harmony.
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2. Role Modeling: Such behavior sets a poor example for others, especially younger or impressionable individuals. It teaches that success is achieved through deception and harm rather than hard work and ethical conduct.
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In essence, tearing others down to elevate oneself is a sign of moral decay, reflecting poorly on one's character and contributing to a detrimental social environment. True greatness and respect are achieved through uplifting others, fostering genuine connections, and demonstrating integrity and kindness.
I trust this whimsicle article drives home the principle that humility like "a high tide raises all ships" rather than pride destroying others so I alone stand taller.
Pride comes before a fall.
Robert J Carroll Jr
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