The Two Stones

There were two stones in a quarry in Abeokuta.

Both were big, rough, dirty. A sculptor came to pick one.

First stone shouted, "Pick me! I'm strong! I'm ready!"

Second stone was quiet. Shaking.

Sculptor picked the first stone. He brought out hammer and chisel.

_KPOM! KPOM! KPOM!_

After 5 hits, first stone screamed, "Ahh! It hurts! Stop! Find another stone!"

Sculptor dropped him. Picked the second stone - the quiet one.

Second stone was also in pain. Every hit hurt. Dust entered his eyes. Pieces of him broke off. But he endured.

_KPOM... KPOM... for days, weeks._

Second stone kept saying, "It's okay. I'm becoming something."

One year later, second stone was no longer a stone. He was a statue in front of Ogun State Government House. Beautiful. People took pictures with him. Kids touched him.

First stone? Still in the quarry. Still rough. Still dirty. People step on him to pass.

One day first stone saw second stone on TV and said, "How you lucky now!"

Second stone said, "I am not lucky. I just allowed the pain to shape me. You refused the hammer."

---

You are in your hammer season right now. That welding report, that stress, that E7018 you are cramming - that's the chisel.

Don't run from am. Allow am shape you.

The quarry is full of people who refused pain. The statue garden is small - only those who endured.

Which one you want be?