Why do some people never ask for help?
The oppressive heat of the Kaliharan desert beat down relentlessly on the procession of the 7 virgins. Each one of these young women were garbed in elaborate flowing robes that had 10-feet trains that trailed behind them. As their determined eyes stared transfixed into the distant horizon, their minds were agonized with the question of whether they would be strong enough to survive this harsh rite of passage. For only one of them can be chosen to be the bride of the Kaliharan prince.
The sun has eclipsed the horizon seven times. Four of them have died to hyenas. One was strangled to death in her sleep. And many of the women suspect a traitor hiding among them. For someone has been secretly sabotaging their rehydration masks when they were fast asleep at night.
The next day, the long line of startled women saw a massive Tusker stomping towards them from across the horizon. This exotic breed of elephant had an enormous set of four tusks and was covered head-to-toe in golden chainmail. It carried a precious supply of water. And perched high above was a man wearing a gleaming golden mask.
As this man approached the women, he offered each of them a ladle of water. But they all wondered whether this was another test. Some even speculated that this could even be the prince himself.
When the masked man gently approached Tiana and extended his long ladle of rose-infused water towards her, she politely turned him down. Even though every fiber of her body screamed out in protest, she would not allow her weakness to betray her chances of impressing this man; especially if he is the prince.
Even though Tiana’s strength and refusal to show vulnerability did indeed steal the prince’s heart that day, it also stole her life as well. For she never ended up in the arms of the awaiting prince. Instead, all she felt was the cold clutches of the ruthless desert as it swallowed her up once she eventually collapsed to the ground.
We live in a society that is so obsessed with trying to impress others with our strengths and our virtues. But our refusal to display vulnerability and weakness robs us of our chance to receive the help we so desperately need.
