It is okay to ask

Charlie Mackesy in his book, 'The boy, the mole, the fox and the horse', has the boy asking the horse what was the bravest thing that the horse ever said; the horse replied: 'Help - when I have dared to show my weakness.'

There is a profound truth in this simple admission. Far too many of us are afraid to show our vulnerability. We let our ego and status get the better of common sense. This, even though every prayer is in many cases a plea for assistance, as it is an acknowledgement of the help given by our Maker. But not everybody is strong to survive on prayers to the Unseen. We need a closer physical presence.

Seeking help, as the wise horse says, is not giving up; it is refusing to give up. The person whose help is sought should be patient and give their ear and time. When Arjun, the warrior, was torn by confusion, he did not hesitate to seek guidance from Krishn. It is said that while knowledge may be power, it ultimately is of value only when shared. Equally important is that we reach out to seek help only after trying.


While we should not hesitate to seek help, it should not be our immediate response to all challenges. Being dependent on someone else all the time isn't smart. As the wise horse says when seeing a swan gracefully gliding across the water, 'there is a lot of paddling going on beneath'. So, work hard, be brave, and you will swanlike glide through life, but if you fear you are drowning, do not hesitate to ask for a lifebuoy.