An Excellent Parable

   There was a farmer who collected horses; he only needed one more
    breed to complete his collection. 

    One day, he found out that his neighbor had the particular horse breed 

    he needed. So, he constantly bothered his neighbor until he sold it to 

    him. 

    A month later, the horse became ill and he called the veterinarian, 

    who said: Well, your horse has a virus. He must take this medicine 

    for three days. I'll come back on the 3rd day and if he's not better, 

    we're going to have to put him down.

    Nearby, the pig listened closely to their conversation.

    The next day, they gave him the medicine and left.

    The pig approached the horse and said: Be strong, my friend. Get up
    or else they're going to put you to sleep!

    On the second day, they gave him the medicine and left.

    The pig came back and said: Come on buddy, get up or else you're
    going to die! Come on, I'll help you get up. Let's go! One, two,
    three... 

    On the third day, they came to give him the medicine and the vet
    said: " Unfortunately, we're going to have to put him down tomorrow.
    Otherwise, the virus might spread and infect the other horses."

    After they left, the pig approached the horse and said: Listen pal,
    it's now or never! Get up, come on! Have courage! Come on! Get up!
    Get up! That's it, slowly! Great! Come on, one, two, three... Good,
    Good. Now faster, come on.... Fantastic! Run, run more! Yes! Yay!
    Yes! You did it, you're a champion!!!

    All of a sudden, the owner came back, saw the horse running in the
    field and began shouting: It's a miracle! My horse is cured. This
    deserves a party. Let's kill the pig!


    Point for reflection: This often happens in the workplace. Often nobody
    truly knows which employee actually deserves the merit of success, or
    who's actually contributing the necessary support to make things work.