The Ingredients To Victory

When the Romans were busy conquering lands in ancient Europe and Asia, a group of barbarians decided to fight back the conquerors using their dependable magic. The Chief of the village, Chief Dendidrix, consulted the wisdom of the venerable Druid, Matersatix. Dendidrix asked the druid if he could brew a magic potion that would guarantee success for his warriors.

The old druid went to work, opening his cabinet filled with magical potions. He started to boil water inside his old cauldron and added what he felt were important ingredients. He added a vial of Bravery, a beaker of Strength, a flask of Competition, a handful of Speed and a heavy pound of Intimidation. He stirred slowly and poured the mixture on a cup. Dendidrix tasted the mixture but immediately spitted it out. The mixture was too strong, almost too bitter it could not stay long inside his mouth. "Make me another one, something which we can drink," Dendidrix commanded.

The druid searched for more ingredients he could add to the original mix. The first mix was too strong, so he added ingredients that would make it more palatable. So, he added a glass of Patience, a cup of sweet-scented Perseverance, a vial of Grace, a small pinch of Ambition, and some drops of Humility. When Dendidrix sipped from the spoon filled with the new mixture, he was able to swallow it, but it was too sweet, almost too rough for the throat. He asked for water to eliminate the aftertaste. The mixture was too sweet.

At this point, the Chief was getting almost impatient. They needed to create a potion that would guarantee victory for them fast. After some deep thought, the Druid said, "I know what we need to make this mix just right." He took a small wrapping of dark powder and dropped it inside the boiling cauldron. He stirred slowly and invited the Chief to take one last sip.

The taste was perfect! It wasn't too strong or bitter nor was it too sweet and thick. Almost immediately, the Chief himself felt he was getting stronger, ready for battle. "Tell me, Matersatix. What did you add to the mix that made it just right for Success?" "Simple," Matersatix said. "I added the powder of Failure."

"Failure? But I thought you are making a potion that would enable us to find Victory over the Romans?" asked the almost exasperated Chief. Matersatix replied, "Yes, for only with Failures will you learn to appreciate the taste of Victory. Failure will enable you to learn and re-think and eventually formulate a campaign that would eventually defeat the Romans. Your failures will enable you to swallow the rest of the things you needed for a Victory."