We have become such an instant gratification society that we sometimes forget that things take time. How many of us have gotten upset because the internet was slow downloading something or we had to wait in line to long for our morning coffee and we just gave up on waiting?
Our children pick up on our impatience and how easily we give up because something didn’t happen right away for us. It’s a daily situation that they face from most adults they know. So, they in turn learn to give up to quickly and we allow it because we don’t want to see them struggle or unhappy. Unfortunately, they have to struggle to learn sometimes.
So, you’re wondering what all that has to do with loyalty, perseverance and penguins right? Well, how would you feel if your child wanted to do something and didn’t give up on it when it got difficult? Or better yet how do you think they would feel? Accomplished? Proud? Empowered? Now for how penguins fit into all of this.
About 6 years ago, a small penguin was found covered in oil and injured on a beach by a local fisherman in Rio de Janeiro. The fisherman took the penguin in, cleaned him up, and nursed him back to health over the next several weeks. Then one day the penguin just waddle off and left. That little penguin could have just given up but didn’t. With the help of his friend he persevered through adversity.
Now, every year this little penguin swims over 5,000 miles round trip from Rio Grande (a penguin breeding ground) to Rio de Janeiro. He has made this trip for the past 5 years and spends 8 months with his friend who saved him. JingJing will only go to his friend that saved him and will not interact with other people on the island. He is loyal to his friend.
So, can we all learn something from this little penguin (JingJing)? We did.
