Once upon a time, there was a young Red Laker named “Human One Who Attempts”. This was a rather long name to pronounce so Human One Who Attempts was nicknamed Ho’wa for short.
Ho’wa had a hard time doing new things. Failure was something Ho’wa was afraid of. In fact Ho’wa had an unexamined fear of failure so you could say that Ho’wa’s fear of failure was irrational. Ho’wa didn’t know why this fear existed, having never gone to a shrink to find out, but there you are.
Now, Ho’wa was not dumb. Actually Ho’wa was extremely intelligent. Ho’wa knew that this fear existed and was rather crippling at times. This fear was so crippling that it kept Ho’wa from being included in all the things that normal people did and becoming the kind of person that Ho’wa wanted to become.
Therefore, Ho’wa decided that rather than go to a shrink and find out why this fear existed, that doing each new thing would be treated as an experiment. Ho’wa thought that if each new thing were approached this way, that Ho’wa’s failures would cease to exist. Rather, Ho’wa could view an unsuccessful attempt not as a failure, but as just one way that something didn’t work. Ho’wa believed that if enough ways to do something were attempted that eventually one or more would be found that worked!
Therefore, Ho’wa set about trying this out. At first, it was hard. Learning things seemed so slow, even excruciating! Ho’wa was clumsy as well. Nevertheless, the more Ho’wa practiced, the easier attempting things became. Ho’wa learned faster. Ho’wa became more coordinated. However, most importantly, Ho’wa began to feel successful. This made Ho’wa feel good.
This strategy was so successful that Ho’wa became very famous throughout Red Lake and the surrounding Bands of the Anishinabeg. If there were something that normal people couldn’t do. Ho’wa could quickly find a way. If there were something that needed to be thought of, Ho’wa could eventually think of it. If something needed to be said, after a thoughtful period, Ho’wa could say it in a way that everyone could appreciate, even if they didn’t agree with it.
Eventually Ho’wa successfully grew old and died. Ho’wa is remembered fondly among The People.
To this day, whenever one of the Anishinabeg encounters something remarkable, you can often hear them exclaim, “Ho’wa!” in honor of this amazing Red Laker.
True story?
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Hi Lindy Lee!
That was a quick response! It’s more of an allegory. Although “Ho’wa” is something the Anishinabeg say when they are amazed by something.
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This is a rather enjoyable tale, easily fit in at the breakfast table to a child whining over spilt milk.
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Thanks Tashia,
I enjoyed writing it, and people enjoying it is frosting on the cake!
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Wonderful story. It is meaningful to me on several levels. Thank you for sharing it.
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Thank you for your comments!
I’m glad you could find meaning in it.
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Failure is but a fleeting moment that disintegrates when the perseverance of attempting is constant, something like Ho’wa. Love the reflections coming out from the story R. Great read.
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Thanks J! I like your way of looking at it and phrasing it!
R.
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