Find your wicket gate!

It was the early eighteenth century. Many cities in Europe were rapidly rising to prominence. St. Petersburg was shaping up into a large city. The city planners were in a fix one fine morning. They had decided to beautify the city by planning avenues, fountains, and other recreational areas for the populace. But there were some huge boulders that had come all the way from Finland when a glacier had crossed St. Petersburg. The biggest boulder was right in the center of one of the important avenues planned for the city.

The tenders received to remove the boulder were quite expensive. This was due to the lack of modern equipment and high-powered explosives that could either transport the boulder or blast it to smithereens. The authorities wondered how to tackle this problem. At that time, there came a local farmer with a tender. The amount mentioned was surprisingly low. The authorities agreed.

The news spread soon. A crowd gathered. The farmer came with his group of friends. All that they had were shovels. They started digging a big hole near the boulder. As the hole became deeper, the boulder was propped up with poles to prevent it from sliding down the hole. When the hole was deep enough, the farmers climbed out and kicked the poles, allowing the boulder to roll into the hole.

The boulder moved below the surface level. The farmers filled the gap with soil before the amazed eyes of the authorities, moved the extra soil away, collected their money and left the place.

The farmers looked at the problem from a different perspective. A different angle usually gives solution to problems that are seemingly impregnable.

Do not be dismayed by the bronze gate barring your way.

Stop. Take a pause. Read a book. Meditate. Listen to a song. Pray.

Then, approach the closed gate. You will find a wicket gate.

Just do not give up! ?