The Parable of the Bullock
Phillip Thomas
Digital Strategy & Transformation, Business Development, and Customer Experience
As dawn breaks, in the rice fields of Kerala, a farmer begins by plowing the fields.
He is ably assisted by his faithful bullock, who he purchased as a calf for a few dollars.
As always, the plow was secured onto the bullock. The farmer walked behind, ensuring that the bullock plowed in straight lines.
People looked at the farmer, working hard under the burning summer sun, and remarked what a hardworking man he was.
No one cared about how hard the buffalo worked. The buffalo worked. The farmer directed.
The farmer got the credit and praise. The bullock got none.
And one day, when the bullock was old and waning in strength, he was sold.
For beef.
The beef ended up at the farmer’s table, who ate it, with his family.
He had bought a new, young bullock to continue working in the fields.
And…….??………… you guessed it.
The bullock did all the work, and the farmer got all the credit.
And the cycle went on in perpetuity.
Don’t be the bullock.
Be the farmer.