The Race You Shouldn’t Run

Every evening, a farmer and his dog would sit by the roadside, watching the world go by. The dog, full of energy, would eagerly wait for passing cars. The moment a vehicle appeared in the distance, it would spring into action—barking, running with all its might, and trying to catch it. No matter how fast the car went, the dog never gave up. This routine continued day after day.

One evening, the farmer’s neighbour, who had been watching this for weeks, approached him and asked, "Your dog keeps chasing every car that passes. Do you really think he will ever catch one?"

The farmer smiled and replied, “I’m not worried about whether he catches one. What I really wonder is—what would he do if he actually caught it?”

The neighbour chuckled at the response, but later, he thought deeply about what the farmer had said. The more he reflected, the more he realized that the dog’s actions were not very different from how many people live their lives.

So often, we get caught up chasing things without stopping to think—do they truly matter? We run after distractions, fleeting desires, and things that don’t contribute to our growth. We get busy for the sake of being busy, without a clear purpose. But in the end, even if we "catch" what we are chasing, will it bring real fulfilment? Will it take us closer to our true goals?

Your focus shapes your future. If you spend your time running after every distraction, you will never reach where you truly want to be. Instead, direct your energy toward things that genuinely matter—your dreams, your growth, and your purpose.

Feed your focus, starve your distractions!

Disclaimer: The stories shared in this series are presented with the understanding that their sources may be unknown. We acknowledge and credit the original storytellers as anonymous. Our intention is to provide our audience with narratives that inspire and promote meaningful insights.