A Beginner's Mind

I was re-watching "Saving Private Ryan" yesterday. Abraham Lincoln's letter to Mrs. Bixby shook me a bit. Before I explain why, read it: Executive Mansion, Washington, November 21, 1864. Mrs. Bixby, Boston, Massachusetts: Dear Madam:  I have been shown in the files of the War Department a statement of the Adjutant-General of Massachusetts that you are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously on the field of battle. I feel how weak and fruitless must be any words of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering to you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save. I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom. Yours very sincerely and respectfully, Abrah

Have fond memories of reading this at least a decade back in Times' speaking tree; back when it used to be original.  It all came back last week when i was recounting it to my nephew. Once upon a time a tortoise and a hare had an argument about who was faster. They decided to settle the argument with a race. They agreed on a route and started off the race. The hare shot ahead and ran briskly for some time. Then seeing that he was far ahead of the tortoise, he thought he’d sit under a tree for some time and relax before continuing the race. He sat under the tree and soon fell asleep. The tortoise plodding on overtook him and soon finished the race, emerging as the undisputed champ. The hare woke up and realized that he’d lost the race. The moral-  “Slow and steady wins the race ”. This is the version of the story that we’ve all grown up with.” THE STORY DOESN’T END HERE There are few more interesting things…..it continues as follows…… The hare was disappointed at losin