SOMETHING TO HANG YOUR HAT ON-THE STORY OF GAW HONG
More than 200 years ago, the Chinese on Formosa were having a difficult time stamping out the barbaric practice of headhunting among native Taiwanese inhabitants.
Because of the coming of the Chinese gentleman named Gaw Hong who had been appointed magistrate to the region, the practice was almost wiped out except for a few spots here and there.
He was a just man and a kind man. Soon he had won the hearts of all the people in the area. By his good dealings with the people, he won their affection. Even the fiercest of the tribes couldn’t help but love, respect and revere him.
Because he was such an incredibly fine gentleman, he managed to stamp out this barbaric practice bit by bit. Unfortunately, when it appeared that he had almost succeeded, a religious festival approached and the local inhabitants felt that they needed to appease the Gods by offering human heads.
Gaw Hong appealed to them with every ounce of persuasion he had, not to do it, but they wore him down.
Eventually, he said to them, “I will give you permission to take one head, only one. And, you will take it when and where I shall appoint.”
When the feast came, he told them explicitly what he wanted them to do. They were to take the first man using a certain path at dawn the next day. In keeping with his instructions, the assassins lay in wait for that first person to appear on the road. The arrow of the assassin found its target, and they quickly cut off the head of the victim, put it in a bag and took it to the tribal chief.
When the sack was opened, it was the head of Gaw Hong.
On that day in Formosa, headhunting ceased forever.
At the center of the resolution to any conflict, you can find a hero: one person who selflessly was willing to do whatever it takes so the greater good could happen. Granted, the story of Gaw Hong is an extreme example, but a good illustration for us all.
When crisis affects you, your family, our nation, the world, whatever...are willing to what it takes so the greater good can occur?
And that's something you can hang your hat on.
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