Book No. 18

The Story of Ferdinand recently celebrated its 75th anniversary. It's for classics like these that I'm proud to say I work in the business of books. This was a brand new read for me and the more I think back to the story, the more the story gives back to me.

For those that haven't read it, Ferdinand is a bull who prefers to stop and smell the flowers over head-butting and roughhousing with the other bulls. An unfortunate incident with a bee lands him a starring role in the Madrid's next big bull fight, but despite courageous banderilleros, a brave matador, and a cheering crowd, Ferdinand would rather park it in the middle of the arena and take in the smells of the fresh flowers worn by the women in the seats. He returns to his pasture unscathed by his failure, content to sit beneath the cork tree smelling the flowers.

"And for all I know he is sitting there still, under his favorite cork tree, smelling the flowers just quietly.
He is very happy."

Can you see yourself in this story? Despite what others would have you become, do you remain true to yourself? Even following failure in front of your peers, would you still be content to return home and lie among the flowers?

- Matthew