Jill was surprised that Emma, Penny, and Kathy could wish they were just like her. She was even
more surprised when Kathy gave her a big hug and said, “Thanks.” It surprised Jill, too, how she be-
gan to see things differently after that. Maybe she didn’t need to be tops at any one thing. Maybe she
didn’t need to be special at anything in particular. Maybe it was enough just to know that she was spe-
cial being who she was.
STORY 16
THE IMPORTANCE OF ACCEPTING COMPLIMENTSTherapeutic Characteristics
Problems Addressed
■ Low self-esteem
■ Rejection of compliments
■ The complications of false modestyResources Developed
■ Learning to value yourself
■ Accepting complimentsOutcome Offered
■ Self-worth
One day, a pretty young snake was bathing at the edge of a lake. Having washed, she stretched
out on a warm rock to dry and began to preen herself. A fly buzzing by looked down, saw her, and
commented, “My, your scales are gleaming so attractively in the sunlight. You look sleek and clean.
You are such a beautiful snake.”
The snake, shy and embarrassed, slithered off seeking somewhere to hide. Seeing a hut nearby
she disappeared through the thatched grass walls. She didn’t realize it was the home of the village sor-
cerer. He took fright at the sight of the snake, grabbed his drum, and started beating loudly to frighten
away this evil intruder.
A tortoise that was slowly journeying across an adjoining field heard the rhythmic beat of the
drum and began to dance. An elephant, seeing this unseemly display from such a sedate creature,
stood on the back of the tortoise. The tortoise excreted fire and the fire ignited the sorcerer’s tinder-
dry grass hut. Black clouds billowed up into the sky, darkening the land. A deluge of rain fell from
the heavens, but quickly abated, allowing the sun to disperse its warm and drying light. A mother ant,
seizing the opportunity to dry her eggs following the flood of rain, spread them in the sun. An
anteater, quick to see an opportunity for a meal, gobbled down the ant’s eggs.
The ant took the anteater to court. Seeking redress under the laws of the land, she approached
the judge of the jungle, the king of beasts, and described her problem. The lion convened a court,
calling together all the parties involved.
72 Healing Stories, Teaching Stories